Proceedings of the 3 rd Croatian-Slovenian Symposium on Zeolites 11 CUBIC MESOPOROUS ALUMINOPHOSPHATE THIN FILMS: STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION AND APPLICATION OPPORTUNITIES Matjaž Mazaj 1 , Galo J.A.A. Soler-Illia 2 , Saša Cecowski 1 , Gregor Mali 1 , Nataša Novak Tušar 3 , Venčeslav Kaučič 1 National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia 2 Unidad de Actividad Quimica, Av. Gral Paz 1499 (1650) San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina E-mail: matjaz.mazaj@ki.si ABSTRACT Mesoporous aluminophosphate thin films templated by nonionic copolymer surfactant (Pluronic-F108 and –F127) were prepared by the dip-coating method. Self-assembly of copolymer surfactants with different sizes and hydrophilic properties into cubic symmetry causes the formation of thin films with different pore dimensions. Symmetry of pore arrangement was determined by SAXS and TEM measurements. It has been shown that these films are stable to thermal treatment, and that there is an evolution of the inorganic framework, according to 27 Al and 31 P NMR spectra. Silicon and manganese were effectively incorporated within aluminophosphate framework which was confirmed by NMR and XANES/EXAFS analysis. Acidity and hydrophilic properties of metal-modified (SAPO and MnSAPO) aluminophopshate frameworks of thin films make these materials applicable for membranes, energy storage and catalytic applications. Keywords: thin films, mesoporous aluminophosphate, SAXS INTRODUCTION Important feature of mesostructured solids, based on various metal oxides, is their ability to form thin films with thickness on a nanometric scale, where the contribution of surface is much higher than in powder (xerogel) analogues. Investigations in this type of materials are rapidly uprising due to their potential applications as chemical and optical sensors, shape-selective membranes separation and energy-storage devices [1,2]. Mesoporous thin films based on silica are thoroughly investigated and with the proper chemical treatment they show numerous applicative properties such as catalytic activity [3], templating ability for production of nanowires [4], photovoltaic properties [5], moisture sensoring [6], etc. Similar properties can also be expected for aluminophosphate thin films, however mesoporous AlPO materials are known only as powders. Majority of these materials are tamplated by cationic surfactant molecules, which are strongly bonded with aluminophosphate framework by electrostatic interactions. This usually causes partial or total collapse of the mesostructure upon removal of surfactant. Tian et al. [7] produced mesoporous AlPO material templated by nonionic copolymer surfactants for the first time. This material is thermally stable and ordered mesostructure is preserved after the surfactant removal due to the weaker surfactant-inorganic framework interactions in comparison with cationic surfactant molecules. Here we report on the synthesis, structural characterization and application opportunities of new mesoporous aluminophosphate thin films with cubic (Im 3 m) pore arrangement. Cubic (F127-templated) aluminophosphate thin films were also successfully modified by silicon (SAPO) and additionally by manganese (MnSAPO). EXPERIMENTAL Aluminophosphate solutions were prepared by mixing AlCl 3 and H 3 PO 4 prior to the addition of Pluronic copolymers F127 and F108 in ethanolic medium. Al / P and Al / S (S =