Examining Quality of Material for the Synthesis of Photonic Crystals by the Method of Sedimentation Analysis

A problem of using tetraethoxysilane with different storage periods as a raw material in the production of photonic crystals is examined. Present work is conducted for the purpose of reducing expenditures for the synthesis of photonic crystals. By comparing the results of modeling and experimental data, we substantiated the feasibility of sedimentation quality control of material for the synthesis of photonic crystals. The given method provides for an error in determining variation coefficient in the diameter of particles not exceeding 1.5 %. We have proven an unambiguous dependence between the shape of sedimentation curves and quality of the fractional composition of suspension for the synthesis of photonic crystals.A practical feasibility of this method is confirmed based on the example of using tetraethoxysilane with different storage periods. It was established that the boundary period of storage of purified tetraethoxysilane is 96 hours. Exceeding this period leads to the formation of particles with variation coefficient in their diameter larger than 6 %. The latter is unacceptable in the production of photonic crystals. Obtained data make it possible to increase the periods between fractional distillation of tetraethoxysilane to 96 hours. This will lead to a decrease in costs in the production of photonic crystals and will improve economic efficiency in the industry