Fabrication, characterization and modification of nanodimensional silica hybrid multilayered materials

A sol–gel derived hybrid material with nanometer dimensional layers is described. The material was fabricated using alternating layers of preformed silica colloids decorated with either epoxide or amine functional groups as a means of providing horizontal ordering to an otherwise amorphous material. The layer thicknesses, as determined by XPS escape depth calculations, are 20 nm for the epoxide and 7 nm for the amine decorated material. The sharpness of the interfaces, the homogeneity of the surfaces and the chemical availability of the functional groups following deposition are demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, grazing angle infrared spectroscopy and aqueous contact angle measurements. The functional groups of the uppermost layer were readily modified by diethylamine or propylene oxide in tetrahydrofuran at 100 °C.