Periodic alignment of sol–gel derived, monodisperse phenylsilsesquioxane particles on a pregrooved substrate

Preparation and alignment of monodisperse inorganic-organic hybrid particles have become one of the most attractive research topics in recent years. In this study, phenylsilsesquioxane (PhSiΟ 3 / 2 ) particles were synthesized from phenyltriethoxysilane (PhSi(OEt) 3 ), ethanol (EtOH), hydrochloric acid for hydrolysis and ammonia water for polycondensation via sol-gel process. Spherical PhSiΟ 3 / 2 particles of 0.1-5.0 μm in diameter were obtained by varying the composition of the sols. The particle size distribution decreased with increasing the amounts of catalyst-containing H 2 O and EtOH, and increasing the concentrations of catalysts. Monodisperse particles obtained were aligned on a pregrooved glass substrate using an ascending liquid flow and an attractive capillary force between the particles.