Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous silica films by spin-coating on silicon: photoionization of methylphenothiazine and photoluminescence of erbium 8-hydroxyquinolinate in mesoporous silica films

Abstract

Transparent mesoporous silica films were successfully prepared by spin-coating on silicon wafers at room temperature. The x-ray diffraction patterns of the films indicate that both hexagonal and cubic mesoporous films can be formed by varying the surfactant to silicon mole ratio. These films have reasonable thermal stability and are calcinable up to 670 degreesC. Methylphenothiazine is incorporated into the silica films and after photoionization by ultraviolet light, the radical cation was characterized by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Incorporation of erbium 8-hydroxyquinolinate into mesoporous silica films was characterized by photoluminescence.