Hugh Geaney

• PhD,BSc
• Lecturer at University of Limerick

The growth of Si/Ge axial heterostructure nanowires in high yield using a versatile wet chemical approach is reported. Heterostructure growth is achieved using the vapor zone of a high boiling point solvent as a reaction medium with an evaporated tin layer as the catalyst. The low solubility of Si and Ge within the Sn catalyst allows the formation...

Lithium (Li) metal batteries (LMBs) provide superior energy densities far beyond current Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) but practical applications are hindered by uncontrolled dendrite formation and the build‐up of dead Li in “hostless” Li metal anodes. To circumvent these issues, we created a 3D framework of a carbon paper (CP) substrate decorated with l...

In this work we have shown our investigations on the use of fluorine-free cyano-based ionic liquid electrolyte composed of N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium tricyanomethanide (Pyr14TCM), lithium dicyanamide (LiDCA) (1:9 salt:IL mole ratio) and 5 wt% vinylene carbonate (VC) have been performed in conjunction with silicon nanowire (Si NW) anodes. Their c...

The energy density of next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) can be considerably improved by replacing traditional graphite anodes with silicon nanowires (Si NWs). However, the synthesis of Si NWs is restricted due to the requirement for expensive and heavy metal catalysts for growth. Herein, for the first time, we successfully demonstrate th...

Here we report the use of 1D SixGe1−x(x= 0.25, 0.5, 0.75) alloy nanowires (NWs) as anode materials for Na-ion batteries (NIBs). The strategy involves the synthesis of crystalline SixGe1−xNWsviathe solution-liquid-solid (SLS) mechanism, followed by amorphization to activate the material for Na-ion cycling within a NIB. This study demonstrates the su...

The performance of a SnSb Na-ion battery anode composed of nanolayers of Sn and Sb is reported, wherein the cycle life was significantly enhanced by the use of a high concentration electrolyte.

2D WS 2 were synthesized via the hot-injection method, followed by their electrophoretic deposition (EPD) on the current collector. EPD is an effective approach to fabricating additive-free anodes, thereby greatly boosting the energy density of LIBs.

Antimony has a high theoretical capacity and suitable alloying/dealloying potentials to make it a future anode for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs); however, substantial volumetric changes, severe pulverization, and active mass delamination from the Cu foil during potassiation/depotassiation need to be overcome. Herein, we present the use of electrop...

Highly ordered three-dimensional carbon inverse opals (IOs) are produced from sucrose are stable electrodes in sodium-ion and potassium-ion batteries. The walls of the ordered porous carbon structure containing short-range graphitic areas. The interconnected open-worked structure defines a conductive macroporous monolithic electrode that is easily...

Metal silicides have received significant attention due to their high process compatibility, low resistivity, and structural stability. In nanowire (NW) form, they have been widely prepared using metal diffusion into preformed Si NWs, enabling compositionally controlled high-quality metal silicide nanostructures. However, unlocking the full potenti...

Nanowire (NW)-based anodes for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) have been under investigation for more than a decade, with their unique one-dimensional (1D) morphologies and ability to transform into interconnected active material networks offering potential for enhanced cycling stability with high capacity. This is particularly true for silicon (Si)-based...

Metal silicide thin films and nanostructures typically employed in electronics have recently gained significant attention in battery technology, where they are used as active or inactive materials. However, unlike thin films, the science behind the evolution of silicide nanostructures, especially 1D nanowires (NWs), is a key missing aspect. CuxSiy...

Germanium (Ge) has a high theoretical specific capacity (1384 mAh g−1) and fast lithium-ion diffusivity, which makes it an attractive anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, large volume changes...

A facile method utilizing colloidal templating and sucrose as a carbon precursor is used to synthesize highly-ordered, porous inverse opal structures as C/TiO2 nanocomposites. Material characterization shows amorphous TiO2 and large pore size of ~400 nm allowing for enhanced electrolyte penetration. C/TiO2 inverse opals materials as electrodes in L...

Lithium (Li) metal holds great potential for pushing practical energy densities beyond state-of the art Li-ion batteries. However, parasitic problems including Li dendrite formation can result in separator piercing, subsequent...

With demand for battery devices projected to grow substantially over the coming decades the cost of lithium is expected to increase proportionally[1]. Li mining is an unsustainable process and developing post lithium-ion battery technology will be a critical step in accommodating the increasing demand for energy storage.[2] At the forefront of post...

As the modern world is moving from non-renewable energy sources to renewable sources, such as wind and solar, energy storage devices are necessary in more than just portable electronics. Large-scale, stationary energy storage is required to combat the intermittent supply of renewable energy. Li-ion batteries, which are the current state of art in e...

Lithium (Li) metal is considered the ‘holy grail’ of battery anodes and has attracted enormous interest due to its low density (0.59 g cm ⁻³ ), high theoretical capacity (3860 mAh g ⁻¹ ) and lowest electrochemical potential (-3.07 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode - SHE) [1-2]. However, several issues during its cycling in a Li-metal battery (LMB)...

Silicon has long been considered a prospective anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high theoretical specific capacity and natural abundance. However, silicon is known to suffer from significant volumetric expansion (~ 400%) during lithiation and de-lithiation. The induced mechanical stress leads to pulverization of silicon as...

Tin oxide (SnO2) is a useful anode material due to its high capacity (1493 and 1378 mAh g-1 vs Li/Li+ and vs Na/Na+, respectively) and natural abundance (tin is one of the 30 most abundant elements on earth). Unfortunately, only moderate electrical conductivity and significant volume expansion of up to 300% for Li-ion, and as much as 520% for Na-io...

Cobalt oxide (Co3O4)-based nanostructures have the potential as low-cost materials for lithium-ion (Li-ion) and sodium-ion (Na-ion) battery anodes with a theoretical capacity of 890 mAh/g. Here, we demonstrate a novel method for the production of Co3O4 nanoplatelets. This involves the growth of flower-like cobalt oxyhydroxide (CoOOH) nanostructures...

Here, we report the solution phase synthesis of axial heterostructure Si and Ge (hSG) nanowires (NWs). The NWs were grown in a high boiling point solvent from a low-cost Sn powder to achieve a powder form product which represents an attractive route from lab-scale to commercial application. Slurry processed anodes of the NWs were investigated in ha...

Solution-based synthesis of mixed ionic and electronic conductors (MIECs) has enabled the development of novel inorganic materials with implications for a wide range of energy storage applications. However, many technologically relevant MIECs contain toxic elements (Pb) or are prepared by using traditional high-temperature solid-state synthesis. He...

The morphological changes of Si nanowires (Si NWs) cycled in 1:1 ethylene–carbonate (EC)/diethyl–carbonate (DEC) with or without different additives, fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) or vinylene carbonate (VC), as well as the composition of the deposited solid–electrolyte interphase layer, are investigated by a combination of experimental microscopic...

Despite significant efforts to fabricate high energy density (ED) lithium (Li) metal anodes, problems such as dendrite formation and the need for excess Li (leading to low N/P ratios) have hampered Li metal battery (LMB) development. Here, the use of germanium (Ge) nanowires (NWs) directly grown on copper (Cu) substrates (Cu‐Ge) to induce lithiophi...

Controlling the crystal phase in layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) is critical for their diverse, flexible applications. However, due to the thermodynamic stability of 2H over other polymorphs, fine synthesis...

We report the formation of an intermediate lamellar Cu-thiolate complex, and tuning its relative stability using alkylphosphonic acids are crucial to enabling controlled heteronucleation to form Bi(Cu2-xS)n heterostructures with a tunable number of Cu2-xS stems on a Bi core. The denticity of the phosphonic acid group, concentration, and chain lengt...

Antimony (Sb) is a promising anode material for potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) due to its high capacity and moderate working potential. Achieving stable electrochemical performance for Sb is hindered by the enormous volume variation that occurs during cycling, causing a significant loss of the active material and disconnection from conventional cur...

Silicon nanowires (Si NWs) are a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high specific capacity [1]. Achieving adequate mass loadings for binder-free Si NWs is restricted by low surface area, mechanically unstable and poorly conductive current collectors (CCs), as well as complicated/expensive fabrication routes [2][3...

Binder and conductive additive-free Si nanowires (NWs) grown directly on the current collector have shown great potential as next generation Li-ion battery anodes. However, low active material mass loadings, and consequentially low areal capacities, have remained a challenge in their development. Herein, we report the high-density growth of Si NWs...

Silicon nanowires (Si NWs) have great promise as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their very high specific capacity. Achieving adequate mass loadings for binder–free Si NWs have been restricted by low surface area, mechanically unstable and poorly conductive current collectors (CC), as well as complicated and expensive fabr...

High loading (>1.6 mg cm⁻²) of Si nanowires (NWs) is achieved by seeding the growth from a dense array of Cu15Si4 NWs using tin seeds. A one‐pot synthetic approach involves the direct growth of CuSi NWs on Cu foil that acts as a textured surface for Sn adhesion and Si NW nucleation. The high achievable Si NW loading is enabled by the high surface a...

Li-ion batteries (LIBs) have become critical components in the manufacture of electric vehicles (EVs) as they offer the best all-round performance compared to competing battery chemistries. However, LIB performance at low temperature (LT) extremes of EV operation (typically −40 to 0 °C) suffers from a reduced output and diminished cycle life. LT cy...

The electrochemical performance of Ge, an alloying anode in the form of directly grown nanowires (NWs), in Li-ion full cells (vs LiCoO2) was analyzed over a wide temperature range (−40 to 40 °C). LiCoO2||Ge cells in a standard electrolyte exhibited specific capacities 30× and 50× those of LiCoO2||C cells at −20 and −40 °C, respectively. We further...

A scalable and cost‐effective process is used to electroplate metallic Zn seeds on stainless steel substrates. Si and Ge nanowires (NWs) are subsequently grown by placing the electroplated substrates in the solution phase of a refluxing organic solvent at temperatures >430 °C and injecting the respective liquid precursors. The native oxide layer fo...

Here we report the formation of three distinct Sn-based active materials for Li-ion battery anodes, formed from the same metal−organic material (MOM) precursor sql-1-Cu-SNIFSIX. The materials were obtained under three different anneal conditions in air, Ar, and a Se-rich atmosphere, leading to the selective formation of SnO2/CuO/C (oxide), Cu6Sn5/C...

Nanocomposite SnO2/GeO2 inverse opals (IOs) provide long cycle life with excellent capacity retention when tested as anode materials for Li‐ion batteries. It is demonstrated that the electrochemical performance of SnO2 is significantly improved via the engineering of a nanocomposite of nanoparticles of tetragonal SnO2 and hexagonal GeO2 into a high...

Silicon nanowires (Si NWs) have been identified as an excellent candidate material for the replacement of graphite in anodes, allowing for a significant boost in the capacity of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, high‐density Si NWs are grown on a novel 3D interconnected network of binary‐phase Cu‐silicide nanofoam (3D Cux Siy NF) substrate. The...

Addition of electrolyte additives (ethylene or vinylene carbonate) is shown to dramatically improve the cycling stability and capacity retention (1600 mAhg-1) of Si nanowires (NWs) in a safe ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte (0.1LiTFSI-0.6PYR13FSI-0.3PYR13TFSI) . We show using post-mortem SEM and TEM, a distinct difference in morphologies of the active...

Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials are a quickly evolving area of scientific exploration, with engineering of these into further constrained dimensions and engineered architectures offering the possibility of unique physical insights. Constructing nanomaterials in dimensionally-constrained 2D network architectures is a viable way for the improv...

CuZnSe2 (CZSe) is an important ternary semiconductor comprised of earth-abundant elements with a suitable bandgap for visible light absorption and structural/stoichiometric versatility that make it a promising candidate for photovoltaic applications. Here we report the controlled synthesis of this compound copper chalcogenide in nanocrystal form us...

Herein, copper silicide (Cu15Si4) nanowires (NWs) grown in high densities from a metallic Cu substrate are utilized as nanostructured hosts for amorphous silicon (aSi) deposition. The conductive Cu15Si4 NW scaffolds offer an increased surface area, versus planar substrates, and enable the preparation of high capacity Li-ion anodes consisting of a n...

Development of cost‐effective and increasingly efficient sustainable materials for energy‐storage devices, such Li‐ion batteries, is of crucial future importance. Herein, the preparation of carbon nanofibres from biopolymer blends of lignin (byproduct from the paper and pulp industry) and polylactic acid (PLA) or a thermoplastic elastomeric polyure...

Herein, the electrochemical performance of directly grown Ge nanowire anodes in full-cell Li-ion configurations (using lithium cobalt oxide cathodes) are examined. The impacts of voltage window, anode/cathode balancing and anode preconditioning are assessed. The cells had a useable upper cutoff of 3.9 V, with a higher voltage cutoff of 4.2 V shown...

Herein, textured Cu foil is presented as an attractive current collector substrate for directly grown Ge nanowire (NW) anodes. Compared to planar stainless steel (SS) current collectors, textured Cu led to an increase in achievable mass loading, removal of the requirement for a catalyst deposition step, improved adhesion of the active material and...

Here we report the use of assemblies of SnS nanocubes as Lithium ion battery anodes. The particles are deposited in dense, conductive thin films with high gravimetric capacity using electrophoretic deposition, negating the requirement for binders or conductive additives. While SnS nanocube ensembles display both alloying and conversion modes, a sig...

Calcium carbonate and carbonate-hydroxyapatite are known to form inorganic components of crystals and calcareous concretions found in many non-skeletal tissues and structures including the pineal gland. We used advanced surface analyses techniques such as polarization microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), microfocu...

Herein, we report a novel approach to form axial heterostructure nanowires composed of linearly distinct Ni silicide (Ni2Si) and Si segments via a one-pot solution synthesis method. Initially, Si nanowires are grown using Au seeds deposited on a Ni substrate with the Si delivery in the solution phase using a liquid phenylsilane precursor. Ni silici...

Here we report an interesting observation on anode materials for lithium ion batteries that undergo combined conversion and alloying lithiation processes during cycling (CAMs). These materials are generating interest as low cost and high capacity alternatives to graphite. We find that common testing protocols (CTPs) are unsuitable for assessment of...

Here, we report the synthesis of a bimetallic 2D interpenetrated metal‐organic material (MOM) and its use as a sacrificial precursor for the formation of a Cu2SnS3/SnS2/C composite. The one‐step sulfurisation of the novel Sn/Cu‐MOM represents a facile method for the preparation of an effective anode material for Li‐ion battery applications. The Cu2...

Highly aligned Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide (CZTS) nanorods (NRs) electrophoretically deposited directly on the current collector are tested for suitability as Li-ion battery (LIB) anodes in both half cell (HC) and full cell (FC) configurations. This facile fabrication process offers several advantages for high-performance nanostructured battery electro...

Here, we report the application of axially heterostructured nanowires consisting of alternating segments of silicon and germanium, with a tin seed, as lithium-ion battery anodes. During repeated lithiation and delithiation, the heterostructures completely rearrange into a porous network of homogenously alloyed Si1-xGex ligaments. The transformation...

Li‐ion batteries containing cost‐effective, environmentally benign cathode materials with high specific capacities are in critical demand to deliver the energy density requirements of electric vehicles and next‐generation electronic devices. Here, the phase‐controlled synthesis of copper sulfide (CuxS) composites by the temperature‐controlled sulfu...

Here we report the first detailed investigation into the selenization mechanism of thin films of wurtzite copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) nanorods (NRs), giving particular emphasis to the role of the long-chain organic ligands sur-rounding each NR. During selenization, the NRs undergo a selenium-mediated phase change from wurtzite to kesterite, conc...

We demonstrate that crystalline macroporous GeO2 inverse opals exhibit state-of-the-art capacity retention, voltage stability and a very long cycle life when tested as anode materials for Li-ion batteries. The specific capacities and capacity retention obtained from GeO2 IOs are greater than values reported for other GeO2 nanostructures and compara...

Here we report the formation of high capacity Li-ion battery anodes from Si1-xGex alloy nanowire arrays that are grown directly on stainless steel current collectors, in a single step synthesis. The direct formation of these Si1-xGex nanowires (ranging from Si0.20Ge0.80 to Si0.67Ge0.33) represents a simple and efficient processing route for the pro...

The electrochemical behavior of binder-free, germanium and silicon nanowires as high capacity anode materials for lithium-ion battery systems are investigated in an ionic liquid electrolyte. Cyclic voltammetry, cycling tests and impedance spectroscopy reveal a highly reversible lithium alloying / de-alloying process, as well as promising compatibil...

In recent years Li-ion batteries have been the subject of an extensive research effort aimed at improving their performance for ever more demanding energy storage applications. (1, 2) The demands from consumer devices such as smartphones as well as electric vehicles have necessitated studies into the development of active materials with higher spec...

We report the formation of NiGe nanowires by the thermal decomposition of diphenylgermane, in the presence of a bulk Ni foil, in a solvent vapor growth system. The reaction occurs by the initial formation of a NiGe layer on the foil which progresses to the growth of nanowire occlusions of the same phase, typically 40 nm in diameter. Switching the s...

Transparent thin films can now be site-selectively patterned and positioned on surface using mask-defined electrodeposition of one oxide and overcoating with a different solution-processed oxide, followed by thermal annealing. Annealing allows an interdiffusion process to create a new oxide that is entirely transparent. A primary electrodeposited o...

Widespread issues with the fundamental operation and stability of Li-O2 cells impact cycle life and efficiency. While the community continues to research ways of mitigating side reactions and improving stability to realize Li-O2 battery prospects, we show that limiting the depth-of-discharge while unbalancing discharge/charge rate symmetry can exte...

Engineering Co3O4 nanoparticles into highly ordered, 3D inverse opal (IO) structures is shown to significantly improve their performance as more efficient conversion mode Li-ion anode materials. By comparison with Co3O4 microparticles, the advantages of the porous anode architecture are clearly shown. The inverse opal material markedly enhances spe...

We present the formation of a carbon-coated honeycomb ternary Ni-Mn-Co-O inverse opal as a conversion mode anode material for Li-ion battery applications. In order to obtain high capacity via conversion mode reactions, a single phase crystalline honeycombed IO structure of Ni-Mn-Co-O material was first formed. This Ni-Mn-Co-O IO converts via revers...

Li-O2 battery research at a fundamental level remains critical, and nature of reactions and stability are paramount for realising the promise of the Li-O2 system. We report that ITO nanocrystals with supported 1-2 nm OER catalyst Ru/RuOx nanoparticles demonstrate efficient OER processes, significantly reducing the cell's recharge overpotential, and...

This perspective reviews recent advances in inverse opal structures, how they have been developed, studied and applied as catalysts, catalyst support materials, as electrode materials for batteries, water splitting applications, solar-to-fuel conversion and electrochromics, and finally as photonic photocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts. Throughou...

New techniques to directly grow metal oxide nanowire networks without the need for initial nanoparticle seed deposition or postsynthesis nanowire casting will bridge the gap between bottom-up formation and top-down processing for many electronic, photonic, energy storage, and conversion technologies. Whether etched top-down, or grown from catalyst...

In this report we have investigated the use of Ni foam substrates as anode current collectors for Li-ion batteries. As the majority of reports in the literature focus on hydrothermal formation of materials on Ni foam followed by a high temperature anneal/oxidation step, we probed the fundamental electrochemical responses of as received Ni foam subs...

In this report we have investigated the use of Ni foam substrates as anode current collectors for Li-ion batteries. As the majority of reports in the literature focus on hydrothermal formation of materials on Ni foam followed by a high temperature anneal/oxidation step, we probed the fundamental electrochemical responses of as received Ni foam subs...

In this report, future performance demands of batteries for various vehicular applications are modeled. Vehicles ranging in size from electric bikes to heavy trucks are assessed using driving cycle data which allows key performance parameters such as desired range (km), specific energy of the battery (Wh/Kg), cycle life requirement and expected pri...

Structured porous materials have provided several breakthroughs that have facilitated high rate capability, better capacity retention and material stability in Li-ion batteries. However, most advances have been limited to half cells or lithium batteries, and with a single mode of charge storage (intercalation, conversion, or alloying etc.). The use...

In this report we examine the influence of electrode binder and electrolyte solvent on the electrochemical response of carbon based Li-O2 battery cathodes. Much higher discharge capacities were noted for cathodes discharged in DMSO compared to TEGDME. The increased capacities were related to the large spherical discharge products formed in DMSO. Ch...

We report a method for solvent-less growth of single crystalline hematite Fe2O3 nanoparticles from metal-containing polymeric macromolecular complexes, and demonstrate their efficient photocatalytic degradation of persistent cationic dye pollutants under visible light. Macromolecular complexes such as chitosan·(FeCl2)y, chitosan·(FeCl3)y, PS-co-4-P...

High performance thin film lithium batteries using structurally stable electrodeposited V2O5 inverse opal (IO) networks as cathodes provide high capacity and outstanding cycling capability and also demonstrated on transparent conducting oxide current collectors. The superior electrochemical performance of the inverse opal structures were evaluated...

In this report we examine the influence of electrode binder and electrolyte solvent on the electrochemical response of carbon based Li-O2 battery cathodes. Much higher discharge capacities were noted for cathodes discharged in DMSO compared to TEGDME. The increased capacities were related to the large spherical discharge products formed in DMSO. Ch...

Si nanowires (NWs) are shown to develop internal mesoporosity during metal assisted chemical etching from Si wafers. The onset of internal porosity in n⁺-Si(100) compared to p-Si(100) is examined through a systematic investigation of etching parameters (etching time, AgNO3 concentration, HF % and temperature). Electron microscopy and Raman scatteri...

Solution processed metal oxide thin films are important for modern optoelectronic devices ranging from thin film transistors to photovoltaics and for functional optical coatings. Solution processed techniques such as dip-coating, allow thin films to be rapidly deposited over a large range of surfaces including curved, flexible or plastic substrates...

Porous GaN based LEDs produced by corrosion etching techniques have demonstrated enhanced light extraction efficiencies in the past. However, these fabrication techniques require further post-growth processing steps, which increase the price of the final device. In this paper, we review the process we developed for the formation of fully porous GaN...

Pseudocapacitive behaviour can be accessed when Si nanowire (NW) electrodes are scanned at relatively fast potential scan rates in Li-ion battery electrolytes. Measurements using cyclic voltammetry supported by electron microscopy confirm that Si NWs formed on silicon substrates, as opposed to metallic current collectors, do not solely undergo allo...

Uniform thin films of vanadium pentoxide were dip-coated from a high-concentration vanadium oxytriisopropoxide precursor which is shown to be resistant to the dewetting processes which can form surface pinhole defects. Through appropriate withdrawal speed choice, the thin films have a smooth uniform surface morphology with a low rms roughness of <1...

GaN is an important wide band-gap semiconductor in electronics and optoelectronics. In its porous form is particularly interesting for developing optoelectronic devices with improved efficiency, such as LEDs with enhanced efficiency and sensors with enhanced sensitivity. Through chemical vapour deposition (CVD) [1], we have shown that it was possib...

Current lithium-ion battery anode research involves significant investigations of semiconducting materials, particularly Si as its theoretical specific capacity is >4000 mAh/g ¹ . Previous theoretical studies showed that porous Si with a large pore size and high porosity can maintain its structure after Li ion induced alloying and swelling. Metal-a...

This review outlines the developments and recent progress in metal-assisted chemical etching of silicon, summarizing a variety of fundamental and innovative processes and etching methods that form a wide range of nanoscale silicon structures. The use of silicon as an anode for Li-ion batteries is also reviewed, where factors such as film thickness,...

Here we describe a relatively facile synthetic protocol for the formation of Si-Ge and Si-Ge-Si1-xGex axial nanowire heterostructures. The wires are grown directly on substrates with an evaporated catalytic layer placed in the vapour zone of a high boiling point solvent with the silicon and germanium precursors injected as liquids sequentially. We...

The electrochemical behaviour of MnO2 nanorod and Super P carbon based Li-O2 battery cathodes in water-containing sulfolane and anhydrous DMSO electrolytes are shown to be linked to specific discharge product formation. During discharge, large layered spherical agglomerates of LiOH were characteristically formed on the MnO2 cathodes while smaller,...

High quality 2D and 3D inverse opals and hollow sphere arrays of vanadium oxide are grown on conductive substrates from colloidal polymer sphere templates formed by electrophoretic deposition or surfactant-assisted dip-coating. Inverse opals (IOs) are formed using variants of solution drop-casting, N2-gun assisted infiltration and high-rate (200 mm...