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Mesostructured Dye‐Doped Titanium Dioxide for Micro‐Optoelectronic Applications
Author(s) -
Vogel Robert,
Meredith Paul,
Kartini Indriana,
Harvey Michael,
Riches Jamie D.,
Bishop Alexis,
Heckenberg Norman,
Trau Matt,
RubinszteinDunlop Halina
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
chemphyschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1439-7641
pISSN - 1439-4235
DOI - 10.1002/cphc.200200494
Subject(s) - materials science , titanium dioxide , calcination , copolymer , rhodamine 6g , chemical engineering , mesophase , doping , thin film , nanotechnology , polymer , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , catalysis , composite material , chemistry , molecule , liquid crystal , engineering
Optically transparent, mesostructured titanium dioxide thin films were fabricated using an amphiphilic poly(alkylene oxide) block copolymer template in combination with retarded hydrolysis of a titanium isopropoxide precursor. Prior to calcination, the films displayed a stable hexagonal mesophase and high refractive indices (1.5 to 1.6) relative to mesostructured silica (1.43). After calcination, the hexagonal mesophase was retained with surface areas >300 m 2 g −1 . The dye Rhodamine 6G (commonly used as a laser dye) was incorporated into the copolymer micelle during the templating process. In this way, novel dye‐doped mesostructured titanium dioxide films were synthesised. The copolymer not only directs the film structure, but also provides a solubilizing environment suitable for sustaining a high monomer‐to‐aggregate ratio at elevated dye concentrations. The dye‐doped films displayed optical thresholdlike behaviour characteristic of amplified spontaneous emission. Soft lithography was successfully applied to micropattern the dye‐doped films. These results pave the way for the fabrication and demonstration of novel microlaser structures and other active optical structures. This new, high‐refractive index, mesostructured, dye‐doped material could also find applications in areas such as optical coatings, displays and integrated photonic devices.