Functionalized cubic mesostructured silica films

Mercapto-functionalized ordered mesoporous silica-modified PVDF membrane for efficiently scavenging Cd2+ from water

In this study, (3-mercaptopropyl) triethoxysilane (MPTMS)-modified ordered mesoporous silica (OMS) materials were prepared using a post-grifting method, with MPTMS as the organic functionalized reagent. The OMS materials were analyzed by FT-IR spectra, N₂ sorption, and small angle X-ray scattering to evaluate their potential for scavenging Cd²⁺ from water. Moreover, a (3-mercaptopropyl) triethoxysilane-functionalized ordered mesoporous silica modified polyvinylidene fluoride (MPTMS-OMS/PVDF) membrane was synthesized using the solvent phase inversion method to remediate wastewater containing heavy metal ions. The MPTMS-OMS was characterized by a maximum specific surface area of 422 m²/g, high surface hydrophilicity, and high pure water flux. The MPTMS-OMS/PVDF exhibited a dynamic adsorption capacity for Cd²⁺ in water. At an MPTMS-OMS content of 5 wt%, the Cd²⁺ removal efficiency was 90%, whereas the pure PVDF showed no Cd²⁺ adsorption capacity. These results highlight the potential of the MPTMS-OMS/PVDF membrane to eliminate Cd²⁺ during the decontamination of aqueous streams containing low-concentrations of contaminants.

Soft templating strategies for the synthesis of mesoporous materials: inorganic, organic-inorganic hybrid and purely organic solids

With the discovery of MCM-41 by Mobil researchers in 1992 the journey of the research on mesoporous materials started and in the 21st century this area of scientific investigation have extended into numerous branches, many of which contribute significantly in emerging areas like catalysis, energy, environment and biomedical research. As a consequence thousands of publications came out in large varieties of national and international journals. In this review, we have tried to summarize the published works on various synthetic pathways and formation mechanisms of different mesoporous materials viz. inorganic, organic-inorganic hybrid and purely organic solids via soft templating pathways. Generation of nanoscale porosity in a solid material usually requires participation of organic template (more specifically surfactants and their supramolecular assemblies) called structure-directing agent (SDA) in the bottom-up chemical reaction process. Different techniques employed for the syntheses of inorganic mesoporous solids, like silicas, metal doped silicas, transition and non-transition metal oxides, mixed oxides, metallophosphates, organic-inorganic hybrids as well as purely organic mesoporous materials like carbons, polymers etc. using surfactants are depicted schematically and elaborately in this paper. Moreover, some of the frontline applications of these mesoporous solids, which are directly related to their functionality, composition and surface properties are discussed at the appropriate places.

Silica-Based Mesoporous Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Materials

Mesoporous organic-inorganic hybrid materials, a new class of materials characterized by large specific surface areas and pore sizes between 2 and 15 nm, have been obtained through the coupling of inorganic and organic components by template synthesis. The incorporation of functionalities can be achieved in three ways: by subsequent attachment of organic components onto a pure silica matrix (grafting), by simultaneous reaction of condensable inorganic silica species and silylated organic compounds (co-condensation, one-pot synthesis), and by the use of bissilylated organic precursors that lead to periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs). This Review gives an overview of the preparation, properties, and potential applications of these materials in the areas of catalysis, sorption, chromatography, and the construction of systems for controlled release of active compounds, as well as molecular switches, with the main focus being on PMOs.

Ordered Micro/Mesoporous Composite Prepared as Thin Films

A new synthesis method for preparation of thin films and powders consisting of zeolite beta nanocrystals embedded in ordered mesoporous silica matrix is described. The final structures possessing bimodal porosity, i.e., high degree of mesophase order and spatially defined microporous zeolite nanocrystals are obtained via simultaneous solvent evaporation of preformed silica/surfactant/ethanol/nanosized zeolite beta assemblies. The films were characterized with grazing-incident diffraction (GID), nitrogen sorption based on gravimetric measurements with quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) devices, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is shown that the incorporation of beta nanocrystals in the mesoporous silica matrix and the mesophase order itself can be controlled through the variation of the fractional amounts of the zeolite nanoparticles and silica/surfactant solutions. The HR-TEM measurements showed that the nanosized Beta microporous crystals are separated and at the same time connected through an ordered mesostructured matrix.

Highly ordered hybrid mesoporous bifunctional thin films

Highly ordered mixed framework mesoporous cubic (Im3m) thin films of (M(1-x)(Si-R)(x))O(2) bearing organic groups (M = Ti or Zr, R = propylamine, propylthiol or phenyl, x < or = 0.2) are obtained by one-pot dip-coating; a second organic function (R' = hexadecyl, phenyl, thiol) can be added by post-grafting with a molecule presenting a group capable to anchor to the M sites, thus leading to bifunctional accessible mesopores.