Synthesis of large-pore methylene-bridged periodic mesoporous organosilicas and its implications

J Phys Chem B. 2006 Feb 16;110(6):2656-61. doi: 10.1021/jp0561120.

Abstract

In this article, we report the synthesis of methylene-bridged periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) of the SBA-15 type. The materials were characterized by SAXS, BET, NMR, FESEM, and TEM. It was found that the synthesis of methylene-bridged SBA-15 PMOs requires more rigorous conditions than that of SBA-15 PMOs bearing organic bridges other than methylene. A mild acidic environment, which slows down the hydrolysis and condensation rates of the precursor, with the assistance of a salt, which enhances precursor-template interaction, should be used to synthesize high-quality large-pore methylene-bridged PMOs. We attributed this to the fast hydrolysis and condensation rates and the rigid backbone of precursor 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)methylene. By examining and comparing the synthesis of three large-pore PMOs with different bridges, we concluded that the inductive, bridging, and conformation effects of the organic bridging group play an important role in the synthesis of large-pore PMO materials.

MeSH terms

  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / methods
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / methods
  • Organosilicon Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Organosilicon Compounds / chemistry
  • Particle Size
  • Porosity
  • Scattering, Small Angle
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemical synthesis*
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Organosilicon Compounds
  • SBA-15
  • Silicon Dioxide