Production of nano-templated surfaces for quartz crystal microbalance

Abstract

This thesis attempted to follow the "true Liquid crystalline templating" route using high concentrations of non-ionic surfactant in the liquid crystal matrix in order to fabricate a high surface area silver electrode onto the gold electrode substrate of an Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance (EQCM). Deposition onto the EQCM allowed the unconventional properties
of the deposited film to be studied by interpretation of the response of simultaneous cyclic voltammetry and microgravimetry measurements.
Based on some experimental observations during the production stage, some interesting details of the templating mechanisms were uncovered. These were concerned with the influence of the external electric field on the mesophase structure of the template. The applied field appeared to induce phase separation in the liquid crystalline electrolyte. Fabrication of an ordered, mesoporous Ag surface following this templating route was not successful as the experimental data from cyclic voltammetry, voltamicrogravimetry and scanning electron microscopy evident. The templated electrodeposition produced a roughen Ag layer with up to 10 times surface area enhancement.