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Template synthesis and characterization of layered Al- and Mg-silsesquioxanes

Journal of Physical Chemistry B, ISSN: 1520-6106, Vol: 101, Issue: 4, Page: 531-539
1997
  • 91
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 32
    Captures
  • 0
    Mentions
  • 0
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Citations
    91
    • Citation Indexes
      89
    • Patent Family Citations
      2
      • Patent Families
        2
  • Captures
    32

Article Description

A series of new layered inorganic-organic nanocomposites, with organic functionalities directly bonded to an inorganic framework via the Si-C bond, were prepared by a template sol-gel synthesis. These layered Al- and Mg-silsesquioxanes were precipitated at room temperature by addition of aqueous base to an alcohol solution containing a mixture of AlCl or MgCl and a trialkoxysilane with a n-dodecyl, n-octyl, n-pentyl, 3-methacryloxypropyl, isobutyl, or phenyl functionality. The Si/Al and Si/Mg ratios of the reaction mixtures were 2:1 and 4:3, respectively, and were chosen to match the composition of clay mineral pyrophyllite (layered aluminosilicate) and talc (layered magnesiosilicate). X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy show that the products are crystalline with a layered structure. A comparison of basal spacings and length of the organic functionalities is consistent with a ∼10 Å inorganic layer and a bilayer arrangement of R groups for Al-silsesquioxanes and an interpenetrating arrangement of R groups for Mg-silsesquioxanes. FTIR and C NMR spectra indicate that in the products the Si-C bond is intact and silanes are fully hydrolyzed, while the organic functionalities filling the interlayer space are in a solid-like environment. Si NMR spectra reveal that silanes are not fully condensed and that the degree of condensation is higher in Mg-silsesquioxanes than Al-silsesquioxanes. Broad in-plane diffraction peaks and a variety of Al coordination states observed by Al NMR are best explained by the defects in a clay-like inorganic framework caused by trifunctional Si. The most crystalline products were formed from long-chain alkyl-trialkoxysilanes with Al, while trialkoxysilanes with shorter R groups gave less well-organized structures. This dependence on chain length suggests that the formation of the layered structure is due to self-assembly of the hydrolyzed trialkoxysilanes into lamellar micelles. The micelles act as a template for the formation of a clay-like inorganic framework by condensation between the silanols and aqueous metal species attracted by the negatively charged surfactant layers. Although the thermal stability of R group limits high-temperature applications, these materials may find use as sorbents, environmental barriers, polymer fillers, catalytic supports, or chemical sensors.

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