SYNTHESIS AND BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS OF VINYL POLYMERINORGANIC HYBRID AND MESOPOROUS MATERIALS

We describe the sol-gel synthesis of a new family of organic-inorganic hybrid materials, in which various vinylpolymers are covalently bonded to and uniformly distributed in inorganic oxide matrices. The materials can be tailored tohave both good toughness and hardness while maintaining excellent optical transparency. Doping the sol-gel metal oxideswith optically active compounds such as D-glucose results in new optical rotatory composite materials. Removal of thedopant compounds from the composites affords mesoporous oxide materials, which represents a new, nonsurfactant-templated route to mesoporous molecular sieves. We have successfully immobilized a series of enzymes and other bioactiveagents in mesoporous materials. Catalytical activities of the enzyme encapsulated in mesoporous materials were found to bemuch higher than those encapsulated in microporous materials.     

Spherical ordered mesoporous silicas and silica monoliths as stationary phases for liquid chromatography

Ordered mesoporous silicas such as micelle-templated silicas (MTS) feature unique textural properties in addition to their high surface area (approximately 1000 m2/g): narrow mesopore size distributions and controlled pore connectivity. These characteristics are highly relevant to chromatographic applications for resistance to mass transfer, which has never been studied in chromatography because of the absence of model materials such as MTS. Their synthesis is based on unique self-assembly processes between surfactants and silica. In order to take advantage of the perfectly adjustable texture of MTS in chromatographic applications, their particle morphology has to be tailored at the micrometer scale. We developed a synthesis strategy to control the particle morphology of MTS using the concept of pseudomorphic transformation. Pseudomorphism was recognized in the mineral world to gain a mineral that presents a morphology not related to its crystallographic symmetry group. Pseudomorphic transformations have been applied to amorphous spherical silica particles usually used in chromatography as stationary phases to produce MTS with the same morphology, using alkaline solution to dissolve progressively and locally silica and reprecipitate it around surfactant micelles into ordered MTS structures. Spherical beads of MTS with hexagonal and cubic symmetries have been synthesized and successfully used in HPLC in fast separation processes. MTS with a highly connected structure (cubic symmetry), uniform pores with a diameter larger than 6 nm in the form of particles of 5 microm could compete with monolithic silica columns. Monolithic columns are receiving strong interest and represent a milestone in the area of fast separation. Their synthesis is a sol-gel process based on phase separation between silica and water, which is assisted by the presence of polymers. The control of the synthesis of monolithic silica has been systematically explored. Because of unresolved yet cladding problems to evaluate the resulting macromonoliths in HPLC, micromonoliths were synthesized into fused-silica capillaries and evaluated by nano-LC and CEC. Only CEC allows to gain high column efficiencies in fast separation processes. Capillary silica monolithic columns represent attractive alternatives for miniaturization processes (lab-on-a chip) using CEC.     

Novel non-hydrolytic synthesis of a V2O5-TiO2 xerogel for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx by ammonia

A vanadia-titania mesoporous xerogel (10.5 wt% V(2)O(5)) was prepared from chloride precursors using a one-step non-hydrolytic sol-gel route and subsequent drying at ambient pressure; after calcination at 773 K for 5 h no crystalline V(2)O(5) was detected and the resulting mixed oxide exhibited remarkable activity in the selective reduction of NO with NH(3).     

Samarium-doped mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles with improved photocatalytic performance for elimination of gaseous organic pollutants

Mesoporous TiO₂ doped with different amounts of Sm were prepared via a sol-gel route with Pluronic P123 as template. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and N₂ sorption experiments, etc. The photocatalytic activity of the mesoporous TiO₂ was tested in elimination of gaseous methanol and acetone. The Sm doped mesoporous TiO₂ have higher activity than those of the commercial photocatalyst (Degussa, P25) and Sm doped TiO₂ counterparts without mesopore structure under ultraviolet light irradiation. A possible mechanism was proposed to account for the high photocatalytic activity of the Sm doped mesoporous TiO₂. The superior activity of the Sm doped mesoporous TiO₂ may be attributed to the synergic effect of the high surface area, mesopore structure and doped Sm species.     

Protein adsorption on the mesoporous molecular sieve silicate SBA-15: effects of pH and pore size

A mesoporous molecular sieve silicate, SBA-15, with three pore sizes (38.1 A, 77.3 A, and 240 A) has been synthesized using a non-ionic, tri-block copolymer as a template in a sol-gel method. The effects of synthesis conditions on the pore size and pore-size distribution of this adsorbent have been described. The adsorption of proteins on these crystalline, ordered, materials has been studied. The kinetics of adsorption and equilibrium capacity have been probed with three proteins of different dimensions. The effects of electrostatic interactions and protein size are illustrated. It has been shown that SBA-15 materials can be tailored to show size selectivity for proteins, and very high capacities (450 mg/g) can be obtained. Furthermore, the rates of adsorption are shown to be dependent on the pore size, protein structure and solution pH.     

Preparation and microstructure of sol-gel derived silver-doped silica

Silver-doped silica was prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS, Si(OC₂H₅)₄) in the presence of a silver nitrate (AgNO₃) solution by two different synthesis methods. In the first synthesis route, sol-gel mixtures were prepared using an acid catalyst. In the second synthesis route, silver-doped silica gels were formed by two-step acid/base catalysis. For the same concentration of silver dopant [AgNO₃]/[TEOS] = 0.015 acid-catalyzed sol-gel formed a microporous silica with an average pore size of <25 Å whereas the two-step catalyzed silica had an average pore size of 250 Å and exhibited a mesoporous structure when fully dried. The differences in the pore size affected the silver particle formation mechanism and post-calcination silver particle size. After calcination at 800 °C for 2 h the acid-catalyzed silica contained metallic silver particles size with an average particle size of 24 ± 2 nm whereas two-step catalyzed silica with the same concentration of [AgNO₃]/[TEOS] = 0.015 contained silver nanoparticles with an average size of approximately 32 ± 2 nm. Mechanisms for silver particle formation and for silica matrix crystallization with respect to the processing route and calcination temperature are discussed.     

介孔Fe-Cu复合金属氧化物纳米粉催化剂催化低温CO氧化

以环氧丙烷为凝胶剂,采用简便低廉的无表面活性剂的溶胶-凝胶法制备了一系列不同Cu/Fe摩尔比的高比表面积介孔Fe-Cu复合氧化物纳米粉末。运用微反应器-色谱体系考察了它们在低温CO氧化反应中的催化性能。采用X射线衍射、N2吸附-脱附、热重-差热分析、程序升温还原、傅里叶变换红外光谱和透射电镜对所制样品进行了表征。结果表明,这些介孔Fe-Cu复合氧化物催化剂具有纳米晶结构、窄的孔径分布和高的比表面积,在低温CO氧化反应中表现出高的活性和稳定性。 CuO的添加影响了Fe2O3的结构和催化性能。当CuO含量为15 mol%时,催化剂具有最高的比表面积和催化活性,在低温CO氧化反应中表现出较高的催化稳定性。     

Effect of synthesis conditions on preparation of mesoporous titania-silica by a modified sol-gel technique using a cationic surfactant

Titania-silica mesoporous materials have been synthesized by a modified sol-gel technique using a cationic surfactant. The synthesis process was studied using statistical design of experiments to achieve the best conditions for titania-silica preparation. The synthesized materials were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM and surface area measurements. The XRD and SEM results showed an amorphous structure of titania-silica. The surface area measurements using nitrogen adsorption showed type-IV isotherms which indicate the formation of mesoporous structure. A high surface area can be obtained (685 m²/g). The crystal size of titania-silica calculated using Scherrer’s equation was found to be in the range 8–15 nm.     

New sol-gel synthetic route to phospho-olivines as environmentally friendly cathodes for Li-ion cells

A new sol-gel synthetic route was developed to prepare single-phase phospho-olivines LiMPO4 (M = Fe or Mn), potential cathode materials for the next generation of Li-ion secondary batteries. Triethyl phosphite was used as phosphate organic precursor, with absolute ethanol as solvent. The sol-gel synthesis ensures homogeneity of the precursors at the nanometric scale and improved reactivity, allowing to obtain very small agglomerates and crystal grain size. Several carbon sources were used in order to improve the electrochemical performances of the samples. Galvanostatic cycling tests of the cathodic materials were made on coin cells with Li metal as anode in order to study the influence of the synthesis and the structural-morphological characteristics on the electrochemical performance of the phosphate/C composite.     

纳米Ni/SiO2介孔复合体的制备与超顺磁性

采用溶胶—凝胶法制备了含Ni2+的SiO2干凝胶,再通过化学还原得到了纳米Ni/SiO2介孔复合体。从样品的透射电子显微镜观测结果可估算出,介孔复合体中Ni粒子的尺寸约为11～12 nm。样品的磁性测量结果表明,与通常的Ni纳米颗粒相比,纳米Ni/SiO2介孔复合体中纳米Ni粒子的粒径在大于理论计算的纳米Ni粒子的临界尺寸时,仍能够保持超顺磁状态。在一定温度范围内,提高还原温度有利于复合体中纳米Ni粒子向超顺磁状态转变。     

Sol-Gel processing of silica nanoparticles and their applications

Recently, silica nanoparticles (SNPs) have drawn widespread attention due to their applications in many emerging areas because of their tailorable morphology. During the last decade, remarkable efforts have been made on the investigations for novel processing methodologies to prepare SNPs, resulting in better control of the size, shape, porosity and significant improvements in the physio-chemical properties. A number of techniques available for preparing SNPs namely, flame spray pyrolysis, chemical vapour deposition, micro-emulsion, ball milling, sol-gel etc. have resulted, a number of publications. Among these, preparation by sol-gel has been the focus of research as the synthesis is straightforward, scalable and controllable. Therefore, this review focuses on the recent progress in the field of synthesis of SNPs exhibiting ordered mesoporous structure, their distribution pattern, morphological attributes and applications. The mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) with good dispersion, varying morphology, narrow size distribution and homogeneous porous structure have been successfully prepared using organic and inorganic templates. The soft template assisted synthesis using surfactants for obtaining desirable shapes, pores, morphology and mechanisms proposed has been reviewed. Apart from single template, double and mixed surfactants, electrolytes, polymers etc. as templates have also been intensively discussed. The influence of reaction conditions such as temperature, pH, concentration of reagents, drying techniques, solvents, precursor, aging time etc. have also been deliberated. These MSNPs are suitable for a variety of applications viz., in the drug delivery systems, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), biosensors, cosmetics as well as construction materials. The applications of these SNPs have also been briefly summarized.     

Cubic Ia3d large mesoporous silica: synthesis and replication to platinum nanowires,carbon nanorods and carbon nanotubes

A new synthesis route to high-quality large mesoporous cubic Ia3d silica is reported, utilizing a triblock copolymer (EO20PO70EO20)-butanol mixture for the structure direction in aqueous solution.     

Synthesis of titanium silicalite-1 (TS-1) zeolite with high content of Ti by a dry gel conversion method using amorphous TiO2–SiO2 composite with highly dispersed Ti species

In this study, we have developed a new method to synthesize mesoporous titanium silicalite-1 (TS-1) with a higher content of active titanium in the framework (more than 5%) than that obtained from the conventional hydrothermal synthesis. The new method combines two methods as follows: (1) a sol-gel method in tetrahydrofuran for the synthesis of TiO₂–SiO₂ composite with highly dispersed Ti species and (2) a dry gel conversion method for the crystallization to TS-1. This investigation revealed that the dispersion of Ti in the starting materials was quite important to synthesize mesoporous TS-1 with high content of Ti besides dry conversion method. The obtained mesoporous TS-1 with a high content of titanium showed higher catalytic activity in 1-hexene epoxidation than conventional TS-1. This high activity is likely to originate from the high content of titanium in the framework.     

New nanomaterials for consolidating stone

A novel sol-gel synthesis, in which a surfactant acts to make the pore size of the gel network more coarse and uniform, is shown to provide an effective alternative for the consolidation of stone. The new mesoporous silica avoids the main inconvenience of current commercial consolidants, which is their tendency to crack inside the pores of the stone. Since the cracking of xerogels is a well-known drawback of the sol-gel process, the synthesis presented here can be extended to other applications. Finally, preliminary studies of the effectiveness of the novel surfactant-templated sol in consolidating a typical biocalcareous stone are also discussed.     

ZSM‐5 Zeolite Nanosheets with Improved Catalytic Activity Synthesized Using a New Class of Structure‐Directing Agents

A new series of multiquaternary ammonium structure‐directing agents, based on 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, was prepared. ZSM‐5 zeolites with nanosheet morphology (10 nm crystal thickness) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions using multiquaternary ammonium surfactants as the zeolite structure‐generating agents. Both wide‐angle and small‐angle diffraction patterns were obtained using only a suitable structure‐directing agent under a specific zeolite synthesis composition. A mechanism of zeolite formation is proposed based on the results obtained from various physicochemical characterizations. ZSM‐5 materials were investigated in catalytic reactions requiring medium to strong acidity, which are important for the synthesis of a wide range of industrially important fine and specialty chemicals. The catalytic activity of ZSM‐5 materials was compared with that of the conventional ZSM‐5 and amorphous mesoporous aluminosilicate Al‐MCM‐41. The synthesis strategy of the present investigation using the new series of structure‐directing agents could be extended for the synthesis of other related zeolites or other porous materials in the future. Zeolite with a structural feature as small as the size of a unit cell (5–10 nm) with hierarchically ordered porous structure would be very promising for catalysis.     

Electrochemical and spectroscopic characterization of surface sol-gel processes

(3-Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MTS) forms a unique film on a platinum substrate by self-assembly and sol-gel cross-linking. The gelating and drying states of the self-assembled MTS sol-gel films were probed by use of electrochemical and spectroscopic methods. The thiol moiety was the only active group within the sol-gel network. Gold nanoparticles were employed to detect the availability of the thiol group and their interaction further indicated the physicochemical states of the sol-gel inner structure. It was found that the thiol groups in the open porous MTS aerogel matrix were accessible to the gold nanoparticles while thiol groups in the compact MTS xerogel network were not accessible to the gold nanoparticles. The characteristics of the sol-gel matrix change with time because of its own irreversible gelating and drying process. The present work provides direct evidence of gold nanoparticle binding with thiol groups within the sol-gel structures and explains the different permeability of "aerogel" and "xerogel" films of MTS on the basis of electrochemical and spectroscopic results. Two endogenous species, hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid, were used to test the permeability of the self-assembled sol-gel film in different states. The MTS xerogel film on the platinum electrode was extremely selective against ascorbic acid while maintaining high sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide in contrast to the relatively high permeability of ascorbic acid in the MTS aerogel film. This study showed the potential of the MTS sol-gel film as a nanoporous material in biosensor development.     

不同介孔材料固定青霉素酰化酶的稳定性研究

介孔材料由于具有在2～30nm之间可调的纳米级规则孔道、大比表面积和强吸附性能而成为固定化酶的优良载体．将酶固定于介孔材料的孔道中制备成的固定化酶与溶液酶相比,有易于与产物分离,并可回收和反复使用,可降低生产成本,减少酶的自水解和保持酶的活性．青霉素酰化酶（Penicillin acylase,PGA,EC．3．5．1．11）又称为青霉素酰胺酶或青霉素氨基水解酶,该酶属于球蛋白,分子量较大,由2个亚基组成：分子量为19500的含有侧链结合位点的亚基和分子量为60000的含有催化位点的亚基．     

Synthesis of Thermally Stable MCM-41 at Ambient Temperature

A new process to synthesize thermally stable mesoporous molecular sieves of MCM-41 structure based on delayed neutralization at ambient temperature was investigated. All samples synthesized by this new method have BET surface areas of about 1100m²/g and possess high thermal stability up to 900°C. Higher crystallinity and less lattice constriction after calcination were observed for samples with a longer aging period. Those samples with aging time longer than 10 days exhibited four characteristic XRD peaks of MCM-41 both before and after calcination at 560°C. The N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms of the calcined samples showed larger average pore size and more homogenous pore size distribution. The method was also successfully applied to the synthesis of MCM-41 with different surfactants of hydrocarbon length with 10–18 carbons and proves to be a simple route for obtaining thermally stable MCM-41 at room temperature.     

Template-free sol–gel synthesis of high surface area mesoporous silica based catalysts for esterification of di-carboxylic acids

High surface area mesoporous silica based catalysts have been prepared by a simple hydrolysis/sol–gel process without using any organic template and hydrothermal treatment. A controlled hydrolysis of ethyl silicate-40, an industrial bulk chemical, as a silica precursor, resulted in the formation of very high surface area (719 m²/g) mesoporous (pore size 67 Å and pore volume 1.19 cc/g) silica. The formation of mesoporous silica has been correlated with the polymeric nature of the ethyl silicate-40 silica precursor which on hydrolysis and further condensation forms long chain silica species which hinders the formation of a close condensed structure thus creating larger pores resulting in the formation of high surface mesoporous silica. Ethyl silicate-40 was used further for preparing a solid acid catalyst by supporting molybdenum oxide nanoparticles on mesoporous silica by a simple hydrolysis sol–gel synthesis procedure. The catalysts showed very high acidity as determined by NH₃-TPD with the presence of Lewis as well as Brønsted acidity. These catalysts showed very high catalytic activity for esterification; a typical acid catalyzed organic transformation of various mono- and di-carboxylic acids with a range of alcohols. The in situ formed silicomolybdic acid heteropoly-anion species during the catalytic reactions were found to be catalytically active species for these reactions. Ethyl silicate-40, an industrial bulk silica precursor, has shown a good potential for its use as a silica precursor for the preparation of mesoporous silica based heterogeneous catalysts on a larger scale at a lower cost.     

Template assisted design of microporous gallium nitride materials

For the first time the synthesis of a porous gallium nitride material (GaN1.15H1.18O0.06C0.04) with narrow pore size distribution in the micropore regime using a nonylamine assisted sol-gel route is reported. The yellow solid has a very high micropore volume of 0.176 cm3 g(-1) comparable to that of zeolitic solids.