Enhanced structural and phase stability of titania inverse opals. Issue 11 (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pasquarelli, Robert M.; Lee, Hooi Sing; Kubrin, Roman; Zierold, Robert; Petrov, Alexander Yu.; Nielsch, Kornelius; Schneider, Gerold A.; Eich, Manfred; Janssen, Rolf
• Is Part Of: Journal of the European Ceramic Society. Volume 35:Issue 11(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 3103
• Page End: 3109
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Titania -- Anatase-to-rutile -- Phase transformation -- Inverse opal -- Photonic crystal; Ceramic materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Matériaux céramiques -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Ceramic materials; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2015.04.041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-2219

Abstract

Abstract: The applications and processing of nanostructured materials at high temperatures require stability of their morphology. However, in such environments (>1000 °C), these structures are prone to significant undesired microstructural changes that result in a loss of functional properties. The thermal stability of titania inverse opal films, prepared from self-assembled templates of monodisperse polystyrene spheres by infiltration utilizing atomic layer deposition and subsequent calcination, was assessed. Resistance to grain growth and a shift in the anatase-to-rutile transformation to higher temperatures was observed, with dramatic stability under vacuum. Vacuum annealed samples retained the anatase phase and exhibited minimal grain growth even after 3 h at 1300 °C. Photonic properties were retained until the transformation onset. The remarkable resistance was attributed to inhibition of surface diffusion and structure-substrate constraints. In addition to being technologically enabling, the results provide further insight into the titania system and its phase transformation mechanism.