Macroporous Silicone Sheets Integrated with Meshes for Various Applications

Flexible macroporous silicone gels were prepared using methyltrimethoxysilane and dimethyldimethoxysilane as co-precursors via a two-step reaction catalyzed by acetic acid and ammonia solution. A sheet-shaped material was integrated with the gel by immersing the mesh in the sol during the reaction. The mesh reinforced sheet having a thickness of several millimeters was resistant to bending and pulling and easy to handle. The composite sheet was used for various applications such as water-oil separation, manipulation of water droplets by adsorption on the hydrophobic surface, and preparation of giant vesicle dispersion.