Abstract
“Nanoskeleton”, which is defined as functional nanoframeworks, is expected to be high-functional materials because of the high surface area due to the pore structure and the functionality of framework itself. Our main aim is to develop Titania (TiO2) Nanoskeleton composed of pores with the diameter of 7-15 nm and crystallized frameworks. Titania Nanoskeleton has potentials as high-performance photocatalysts and high-efficient dye-sensitaized solar cell. Recently, we were successful to synthesize a hexagonal-structured crystalline (anatase) Titania Nanoskeleton with pore diameter of ~7 nm using swollen surfactant micelles (oil-solubilized micelles) and/or oil-in-water nanoemulsions as templates. In addition, multi-scale computational chemistry approachs were employed to evaluate the formation mechanism of Titania Nanoskeleton and the effect of microgravity on the Titania Nanoskeleton synthesis and their performance.
