Controlling the growth of particle size and size distribution of silica nanoparticles by the thin film structure

Nanostructured silicondioxide thin films were prepared by sol–gel spin coating technique. The SiO₂ films were made using a conventional mixture of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), deionized water and ethanol with various NH₃/TEOS ratios. The nanostructured silica films were made using a mixture of the SiO₂ sol and regular SiO₂ sol to control the enlargement of the particles inside the films. The structural, morphological and optical characterizations of the as-deposited and annealed films were carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, NKD spectrophotometer and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. The transmittance data of the infrared spectra of the films were recorded using an FT-IR Spectrometer. The XRD studies showed that as-deposited films were amorphous and the formation of the alfa-cristobalite phase of the silica film was investigated at annealing temperature close to 1,100 °C. Optical properties of the transmittance spectra in the s and p-polarization modes were collected. Refractive indices and extinction coefficients were determined with respect to the NH₃/TEOS ratios in the compositions of the films. Optical cut-off wavelength values were investigated from the extrapolation of the absorbance spectra which was estimated from the UV–vis spectroscopy measurements. A red shift in the absorption threshold indicated that the size of silica nanoparticles was increased by an increase in the NH₃/TEOS volume ratio from 1:64 to 1:8.     

The effect of silica morphology on properties of PVA/silica nano-composites

Two kinds of poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)-silica composites were prepared with different methods. One composite was prepared by directly mixing PVA with 80 nm silica nano-particles which were made from tetraethoxysilane(TEOS). The another was obtained by the mixing PVA and hydrolyzed TEOS in the presence of acid-catalyst. The properties of the two PVA/silica hybrids were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy(SEM), UV-Visible spectroscopy,solubility tests, limiting oxygen index(LOI) test, tensile test and dynamical mechanical analysis(DMA), respectively. The results indicate that PVA-TEOS composites(PT for short) display more transparency than PVA-silica nano-particles hybrids(PS for short). At the same time, The PT composites presented more excellent performance than PS in water resistance, fire resistance and mechanical properties. Moreover, the Tg of PT increased with increasing TEOS content, while that of PS decreased.     

Synthesis of worm-like superparamagnetic P(St-AA)@Fe3O4/SiO2 Janus composite particles

Novel Janus nanocomposite particles with superparamagnetic P(St-AA)@Fe₃O₄ seed microspheres as head and worm-like SiO₂ as body were successfully prepared. The effects of different variables such as the amount of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), and ammonia and the composition of inorganic precursors and surfactants on the morphologies of final particles were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Due to the amphiphilic difference between the two parts as well as their special morphologies, the fabricated worm-like particles could be applied to stabilize oil/water mixtures even if owing relative hydrophilic properties that might provide a new category of functional solid surfactants in Pickering emulsions and the fabrication of hierarchical materials.     

A Novel Synthesis of Alkaline Earth Silicate Phosphor Sr3MgSi2O8： Eu^2＋, Dy^3＋

A novel method for synthesizing long afterglow silicate phosphor Sr3MgSi2O8：Eu^2＋,Dy^3＋using TEOS and inorganic powders as reactants was reported. Acetic acid as a catalyzer controlled the hydrolysis of TEOS by adjusting pH value of the system. The morphologies of precursor were characterized by transmission electron microscope （TEM）. The structure and optical properties of the phosphor powders were systematically investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and spectrofluorometry. TEM images have reflected the core-shell structure and quasi-spherical morphology of the precursor particles. It was found that the single-phase Sr3MgSi2O8 crystalline structures were obtained at 1050 and 1250 ℃ for the samples prepared with the nano-coating method and the solid state reaction, respectively. The emission intensities of the phosphors prepared by the present method were higher than those by the conventional process. Also, the afterglow characteristic was better than that prepared by solid-state reaction in the comparable condition.     

The influence of isothermal aging,surfactant and inorganic precursors concentrations on pore size and structural order of mesoporous bioactive glass

Ordered hexagonal mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) are synthesized by an evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) method using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca(NO₃)₂.4H₂O) and triethyl phosphate (TEP) as the silicon, calcium, phosphorous sources, respectively, and pluronic P123 as the structure directing agent. The influences of P123, TEOS, TEP, and Ca(NO₃)₂.4H₂O on the structural order and pore size of MBGs at different environmental conditions are studied. The prepared MBGs are characterized by the small angle X-ray diffraction (SXRD), N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The study revealed that polymerization degree of inorganic precursors should be low enough at the initial assembling stage of inorganic species with organic surfactants to form highly ordered mesoporous structure. Concentration of Ca(NO₃)₂ governs the formation of ordered mesostructure in MBGs by complexation of Ca²⁺ with the hydrophilic group of surfactant P123. Isothermal aging also plays an important role in the formation of highly ordered MBGs as it permits formation of rigid inorganic framework.     

Preparation of poly(methyl acrylate‐co‐itaconic anhydride)/SiO2 hybrid materials via the sol–gel process—The effect of the coupling agent,inorganic content,and nature of the catalyst

Transparent poly(methyl acrylate‐co‐itaconic anhydride)/SiO₂ hybrid materials were prepared from methyl acrylate‐itaconic anhydride copolymer and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) with the coupling agent (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) via a sol–gel process. The covalent bonds between the organic and inorganic phases were introduced by the in situ aminolysis of the itaconic anhydride units with APTES forming a copolymer bearing a triethoxysilyl group. These groups subsequently were hydrolyzed with TEOS and allowed to form a network. These reactions were monitored by Fourier transform infrared analysis. The amount of APTES had a dramatic influence on the gel time and sol fraction. The effect of APTES, the inorganic content, and the nature of the catalyst on the thermal properties and morphology of the hybrid materials were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 321–328, 2000     

Preparation and properties of poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)/silica hybrid materials by the in situ sol–gel process

Poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)/silica hybrid material has been successfully prepared from styrene–maleic anhydride copolymer and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the presence of a coupling agent (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) by an in situ sol–gel process. It was observed that the gel time of sol–gel solution was dramatically influenced by the amount of APTES. The hybrid material exhibits optical transparency almost as good as both silica gel and the copolymer. The covalent bonds between organic and inorganic phases were introduced by the aminolysis reaction of the amino group with maleic anhydride units of copolymer to form a copolymer bearing trimethoxysilyl groups, which undergo hydrolytic polycondensation with TEOS. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the glass transition temperature of the hybrid materials increases with increasing of SiO₂ composition. Photographs of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) inferred that the size of the inorganic particles in the hybrid materials was less than 20 nm. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1607–1613, 1998     

The role of TEOS‐TIP within a pentablock ionomer: Morphology,physical properties,and ion transport

Inorganic–organic nanocomposites were created using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), titanium isopropoxide (TIP), and poly(t‐butylstyrene‐b‐hydrogenated isoprene‐b‐sulfonated styrene‐b‐hydrogenated isoprene‐b‐t‐butylstyrene) or pentablock copolymer (PBC). A TEOS–TIP–H₂O ternary phase diagram was generated to create homogenous sol solutions with designable condensation reactions that led to controllable materials. An inorganic TEOS–TIP network was synthesized using sol–gel chemistry within the organic PBC domain. All TEOS–TIP–PBC films exhibited higher water sorption than unmodified PBC ionomer that was attributed to a change in morphology. Proton conductivity increased up to 80% due to TEOS–TIP within the nanocomposite film. This can be attributed to ion domain redistribution and partial charge transfer from the titanate's inorganic domains to sulfonate groups that promote acid dissociation. PBC had a microphase‐separated morphology that changed with increasing TIP concentration, which was observed from atomic force microscopy and small‐angle X‐ray scattering results. Finally, thermal gravimetric analysis revealed a decrease in degradation temperature, and dynamic mechanical analysis results demonstrated reduced polymer chain mobility caused by inorganic–organic interactions. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55, 575–586     

Structure and Electron Spin Resonance of Annealed Sol-Gel Glasses Containing Ag

In this work, SiO₂ samples with silver, prepared using the sol-gel method, were analyzed after being thermally treated in air in the range of 100 to 800°C. The sol-gel starting solutions were prepared by mixing tetra-ethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS), water and ethanol. Samples with 4 different H₂O/TEOS molar ratios (3.3, 5, 7.5 and 11.7 respectively) and with different nominal Ag concentrations were prepared (1, 2 and 4%vol. of Ag). It was found that upon annealing, different silver spices were formed, such as Ag₂ ⁺, Ag⁺, Ag°, and metallic silver aggregates. The identification of these spices was carried out by means of X-ray diffraction, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), optical emission and optical absorption. It was also found that the specific type of silver spices observed depends on the structure of the SiO₂ matrix and on the annealing temperatures. It was found that samples prepared from precursor solutions with a low H₂O/TEOS ratio have a more open structure, and therefore silver diffuses faster and forms agglomerates at lower temperatures. Samples prepared from solutions with larger H₂O/TEOS ratios have a more dense structure, which allows the formation of atomic or molecular spices in addition to silver particles. A systematic study of this system was carried out using EPR on samples prepared from solutions having different H₂O/TEOS molar ratios, various Ag concentrations and subjected to different thermal treatments.     

Preparation and characterization of mesoporous silica thin films from polyethoxysiloxanes

Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and polyethoxysiloxanes (PEOSs; prepared by the acid‐catalyzed hydrolytic polycondensation of TEOS) were subjected to the sol–gel process in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), respectively. The PEOSs with M_w 700–26,000, as prepared by sol–gel coating of TEOS and PEOS under various conditions, were used. Uniform and crack‐free thin films of thickness 276–613 nm were prepared by spin‐coating of a PEOS solution containing CTAB. When the coating films were sintered at 400 °C, the combustion of ethoxy groups and CTAB took place to provide porous silica thin films. The structure of the thin films was found to be dependent on the molecular weight of PEOS and the molar ratio of CTAB/Si: lamellar or hexagonal phase was observed for M_w less than 15,000 and for CTAB/Si molar ratios greater than 0.10. Honeycomb structures were observed for M_w less than 5000 and for CTAB/Si molar ratios of 0.15. The honeycomb structure was also observed by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscope. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2542–2550, 2006     

Electrochemical investigation of the permselectivity of a novel positively-charged sol–gel silicate prepared from tetraethyloxysilane and N-octadecyldimethyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride

A positively-charged sol–gel silicate was simply prepared by hydrolyzed and co-polymmerized N-octadecyldimethyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride (C₁₈-TMS) and tetraethyloxysilane (TEOS). The permeation of the prepared silica film was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The film shows selectivity by charge exclusion, that is, favorably selective permeation of anionic redox probe and rejection of cationic one. Furthermore, the film shows a little higher relative response to inorganic anionic redox probe than its organic counterpart.     

Spherical hybrid silica particles modified by methacrylate groups

Organic–inorganic hybrid materials have been used as fillers to reinforce dental resin composites, which require strengthening to improve their performance in large stress-bearing applications such as crowns and multiple-unit restorations. Homogeneous organic–inorganic hybrid materials with high performance were prepared by mixing 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS) and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) synthesized by the sol–gel route. The matrix was prepared by hydrolyzing and condensing the TEOS and MPTS, using basic catalysis and excess water. The resulting xerogel was treated at 50, 100, 150, and 200 °C for 4 h, and the structure was analyzed by thermogravimetry (TG/DTA), photoluminescence (PL), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR ²⁹Si and ¹³C), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and Raman spectroscopy. The PL spectra displayed the Eu³⁺ lines characteristic of ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_{J (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4)} ions, and the blue emission was ascribed to the silica matrix. TG, MNR and infrared spectroscopy analyses indicated the hybrid silica was stable, with the organic part present up to 150 °C. Increasing the temperature of the heat treatment was found to increase the degree of hydrolysis. The size and morphology of the silica particles were identified by TEM.     

SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles in Aerosol OT reverse microemulsions: Synthesis and characterization

Stable SiO₂ and TiO₂ organosols were prepared by hydrolyzing tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in the presence of 6–12 M NH₃ and titanium(IV) isopropylate (TTIP) in reverse microemulsions of 0.12–0.25 M bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (Aerosol OT, AOT) in n-decane with the aqueous pseudophase content of 2–3 vol %, 0.018–0.090 M TEOS, and 0.15–0.55 vol %, 0.003–0.025 M TTIP. The degree of hydrolysis was monitored by IR spectroscopy (for TEOS) and spectrophotometry (for TTIP). Oxide nanoparticles were characterized by photon-correlation spectroscopy (PCS) (D _h = 8–100 nm) and laser electrophoresis (ζ-potential = 7.4–11.6 mV). The occurrence of surface potential made it possible to separate the oxides from the excess of surfactant by nonaqueous electrophoresis and to determine particle sizes (7–40 nm) by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM).     

Hard ormosils prepared with ultrasonic irradiation

Organically modified silicates (ormosils) of high hardness were prepared by the reaction of TEOS (tetraethoxysilane) and PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) aided by ultrasonic irradiation, which was chosen as the method for concentration of the solutions. The mechanisms leading to the hard ormosil formation were examined by liquid state ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. PDMS chains were found to be broken into shorter chains and/or cyclic D₄ tetramers during the reaction and finally, all the PDMS chains were chemically incorporated as short chains into silica networks. Structural models of the mechanisms are also proposed. Elastic moduli and Vickers hardnesses of the hard ormosils were measured. Vickers hardnesses of the hard ormosils were compared with those of some glasses and the hardest transparent plastics and the hard ormosils were much harder than the plastics and a little softer than soft glasses. Theoretical models have been developed for the calculations of the elastic moduli and Vickers hardnesses and agreed well with the experimental results. Predictions based on these models indicate that even higher elastic moduli and Vickers hardnesses of the hard ormosils can be obtained when Al₂O₃, ZrO₂ and TiO₂ are substituted for SiO₂. 30 mol% TiO₂-containing ormosils of high hardness were also prepared aided by ultrasonic irradiation. TEOS and tetraisopropyltitanate (TIPT) were used as the inorganic components. Dimethyldiethoxysilane (DMDES) was used instead of PDMS as the organic precursor. The reactions among alkoxides were examined by liquid state ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. While the reactivity between TIPT and PDMS was much lower than the reactivity between TIPT and hydrolyzed TEOS, the reactivity between TIPT and hydrolyzed DMDES was not so different from the reactivity between TIPT and hydrolyzed TEOS, and thus DMDES was used as the organic precursor instead of PDMS. Elastic moduli and Vickers hardnesses of the hard ormosils of the TEOS/TIPT/DMDES system were measured and even higher elastic moduli and Vickers hardnesses than those of the TEOS/PDMS system hard ormosils were obtained. Also, the calculated results from the theoretical models agreed well with the experimental results.     

Pore expansion of highly monodisperse phenylene-bridged organosilica spheres for chromatographic application

Monodisperse phenylene-bridged organosilica spheres show great potential as chromatographic stationary phase. In this paper, the tunable particle size of monodisperse phenylene-bridged organosilica spheres were prepared by co-condensing different proportion of 1,4-bis(triethoxysilyl)benzene (1,4-BTEB) and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), and then pore size was expanded by two-step post-synthesis hydrothermal treatments using N,N-dimethyldecylamine (DMDA)/dodecylamine (DDA) and tris-(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane (TRIS) in turn. Phenylene-bridged organosilica spheres with particle size of 3.0-3.5 μm and pore size of 85 Å were further surface modified by C₁₈ group and tested in reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The primary chromatographic results demonstrated that C₁₈ bonded phenylene-bridged organosilica stationary phase has high retention and good chemical stability in the high pH mobile phase, which indicated that the phenylene-bridged organosilica can be used for HPLC packing supports.     

Thermal analysis of hybrid materials prepared by γ-irradiation

Hybrid materials were prepared by γ-irradiation of a mixture of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and zirconium propoxide (PrZr), using a ⁶⁰Co γ source, without any addition of solvents. Thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction measurements showed that the obtained hybrids are amorphous materials of the nanocomposite type. The results highlighted the different influence of each of the metallic alkoxides on the hybrid structure. The material rupture temperature, associated with the degradation of the organic component, depends mainly on the TEOS content, whereas the inorganic component structural stability depends on the relative PrZr content in the alkoxides mixture.     

Acrylic polymer/silica hybrids prepared by emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization and the sol–gel process

Acrylic polymer/silica hybrids were prepared by emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization and the sol–gel process. Acrylic polymer emulsions containing triethoxysilyl groups were synthesized by emulsifier‐free batch emulsion polymerization. The acrylic polymer/silica hybrid films prepared from the acrylic polymer emulsions and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) were transparent and solvent‐resistant. Atomic force microscopy studies of the hybrid film surface suggested that the hybrid films did not contain large (e.g., micrometer‐size) silica particles, which could be formed because of the organic–inorganic phase separation. The Si? O? Si bond formed by the cocondensation of TEOS and the triethoxysilyl groups on the acrylic polymer increased the miscibility between the acrylic polymer component and the silica component in the hybrid films, in which the nanometer‐size silica domains (particles) were dispersed homogeneously in the acrylic polymer component. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 273–280, 2006     

Synthesis and characterization of Fe3O4@SiO2–polymer-imid–Pd magnetic porous nanospheres and their application as a novel recyclable catalyst for Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reactions

We demonstrate herein the modification of magnetic nanoparticles and their use as a magnetic nanocatalyst in direct coupling reactions of aryl halides with terminal alkynes. Magnetite particles were prepared by simple co-precipitation method in aqueous medium, and then Fe₃O₄@ SiO₂ nanosphere was synthesized by using nano-Fe₃O₄ as the core, TEOS as the silica source and PVA as the surfactant. Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ was coated with polymeric N-heterocyclic carbene/Pd. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetric analysis, vibration sample magnetometer and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherm analysis. Poly (N-vinyl imidazole) functionalized Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticle was found to be an efficient nanocatalyst in Sonogashira–Hagihara cross-coupling reactions. The nanocatalyst can be easily recovered by a magnetic field and reused for six runs without appreciable loss of its catalytic activity.     

Crosslinking effects on hybrid organic–inorganic proton conducting membranes based on sulfonated polystyrene and polysiloxane

New hybrid semi‐interpenetrating proton‐conducting membranes were obtained using sulfonated polystyrene (SPS) and inorganic–organic polysiloxane phases with the aim of improving the mechanical and thermal characteristics of the pristine polymer and to study the effects of crosslinking in the latter phase in several of their properties, mainly proton conductivity. Siloxane phases were prepared using poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and PDMS with tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) or phenyltrimethoxysilane (PTMS) as crosslinking agents. To study the crosslinking effect, membranes were prepared with different TEOS:PDMS and PTMS:PDMS mole ratios. The films obtained were characterized by FTIR, ²⁹Si‐HPDEC MAS‐NMR, ¹³C‐CP‐MAS NMR, elemental and thermal analyses. Certain properties, such as water uptake (WU), ion exchange capacity (IEC) and the state of the water, were determined. The proton conductivity was measured at different temperatures (30°C and 80°C) and relative humidities (50–95%). The water content of the hybrid membranes declined significantly, compared with the SPS membranes, depending on the nature and amount of siloxane phase added. Nonetheless, the conductivity values remained relatively high (>100 mS cm^?1 at 80°C and 95% RH) when compared to Nafion®117 presumably because of the formation of well developed proton channels, which makes them potentially promising as proton exchange membranes for fuel cells. These membranes proved to be thermally stable up to 350°C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) were used to characterize the hybrid membranes microstructures; the latter provided contrast for the conductive domains. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Composite of SiO2 and Hydrogel Having Microphase Separated Structure: Physical Properties Dependence on pH

Abstract

Organic-inorganic composite gel was prepared by using PEG-modified urethane acrylate (PMUA) gel and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). PMUA gel was prepared by the phase-inversion emulsion polymerization of PMUA emulsion. The gelation of PMUA emulsion using this method enables PMUA gel to swell with H₂O, TEOS, and ethanol. Hydrolysis and condensation reaction rates of the sol-gel process are strongly influenced by the pH controlled by catalysts such as HCl and NH₄OH. Additionally, the morphology on the cross section of composite and the amount of silica ingredient incorporated into the composite gel were dependent on solvent, the molar ratio of H₂O to TEOS, as well as the pH value.

As the silica content increased, due to hydrogen bonds interacting between PMUA gel and SiO₂, particles, the tensile strength of composites considerably increased, whereas the elongation at break decreased. The incorporation of silica ingredient in PMUA gel/silica composites was verified with FTIR/ATR and SEM. The amount of the silica component in the composite was indirectly investigated by using TGA thermal analysis.