Preparation of supported mesoporous silica layers in a continuous flow cell

Mesoporous silica films have been synthesized on borosilicate glass substrates under static conditions and continuous flow of the precursor surfactant-silicate mixture. Evidence for flow-induced orientation is provided. When films are grown under a flow field and for short deposition times, the tubular mesostructures are elongated along the flow direction and acquire a tapelike morphology as shown in the FE-SEM top view micrograph. This texture is in contrast to the disklike morphology of films grown in contact with a quiescent mixture of the same composition.