Hexagonal Network Organization of Dye-Loaded Zeolite L Crystals by Surface-Tension Driven Autoassembly

Highly fluorescent dye‐loaded zeolite L crystals, approximately 1.4 μm long and 650 nm in diameter, are organized in a hexagonal network by a surface‐tension‐driven autoassembly process. A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film presenting a trigonal ordering of spherical protuberances, including a polystyrene (PS) hexagonal network occupying their interstices, is chosen as the platform for the assembly. The overall wettability and the difference in surface tension between PDMS and PS surfaces are found to offer good conditions for ordering micrometric dye‐loaded zeolite L crystals in a 2D hexagonal network. The resulting film displays a regular hexagonal pattern of polarized fluorescence, reflecting the polarization properties of the dye molecules inserted in the parallel nanochannels of the zeolites. Highly fluorescent dye‐loaded zeolite L crystals are organized in an hexagonal network (see figure left and inside cover) by a surface‐tension‐driven autoassembly process. The resulting film displays a regular hexagonal pattern of polarized fluorescence (figure right), reflecting the polarization properties of the dye molecules inserted in the parallel nanochannels of the zeolite crystals.