Biologically Inspired Vapor-Diffusion Route to Metal Hydroxide Films at Low Temperatures: Synthesis, Conversion and Applications

Nanostructured thin films have been prepared using a kinetically controlled vapor-diffusion method of catalysis at low temperature. Vectorial control by diffusion of a base catalyst into an aqueous metal salt solution yields metal hydroxide films with unique structures. Post-synthesis treatment of these materials yielded more stable metal oxide films. All films were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and a wide rage of chemical and electrochemical methods.