Characterisation of hybrid xerogels synthesised in acid media using methyltriethoxysilane (MTEOS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as precursors

The mild synthetic conditions provided by the sol-gel process and the versatility of the colloidal state allow for the mixing of inorganic and organic components at the nanometre scale in virtually any ratio for the preparation of hybrid materials. Our interest in hybrid xerogels focuses on combining their porosity with other properties to prepare optic-fibre sensors. The specific aim of this paper is to synthesise hybrid xerogels in acid media using methyltriethoxysilane (MTEOS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as silica precursors and to investigate the effect of the MTEOS molar ratio on the structure and porous texture of xerogels. Gelation time exponentially increased as the MTEOS molar ratio increased. Increasing the MTEOS molar ratio yielded xerogels with lower density and lower particle size. The incorporation of MTEOS resulted in new FTIR bands at 1276 and 791 cm⁻¹, which was attributed to vibrational modes of methyl group. The band around 1092 cm⁻¹ associated with siloxane bonds shifted to lower wavenumbers and split into two bands. The ²⁹Si spectra only showed the Q ⁿ (n=2, 3, 4) signal in xerogels with 0% MTEOS and the T ⁿ (n=2, 3) signal in xerogels with 100% MTEOS; hybrid xerogels showed both Q and T signals. From XRD peaks at 2θ around 9°, we inferred that xerogels (>70% MTEOS) consisted of nanocrystalline CH₃–SiO_3/2 species. Increasing the MTEOS molar ratio produced xerogels with lower pore volumes and lower average pore size. The integration of methyl groups on the surface decreased the surface polarity and, in turn, the characteristic energy.     

Development of two new approaches for preparation of zirconium silicate systems at low temperature

Homogeneous and stable zirconium silicate sols and gels were prepared via the sol-gel process. Two synthesis procedures were explored based on using acetylacetone (acac) and acetic acid (HOAc) as modifying agents. The homogeneous sols were characterized by small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and ²⁹Si NMR in the early stages of polymerization. Zr addition to the Si sols caused significant modification of the extent of condensation of the Si species as determined by ²⁹Si NMR. TGA and DTA of the two types of xerogels revealed differences attributed to the modifying agents. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of acac xerogels showed a band at 1600 cm^–1, assigned to acac bonded to Zr. FTIR spectra of the HOAc xerogels were consistent with OAc bidentate ligands bonded to Zr. UV-Vis spectroscopy results of the HOAc2.3 thin film presented a band assigned to OAc singly coordinated to Zr.     

The interaction of dibutyltin dilaureate with tetraethyl orthosilicate in sol-gel systems

Sols composed of dibutyltin dilaureate (DTL) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) were prepared using a mixture of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and acetone as the solvent in order to study the interaction between the oligomeric Sn and Si species. The hydrolysis molar ratio r (r=nH₂O/nM (M: Si, Sn or Si+Sn) was 2. The use of an acid or basic catalyst was avoided, as the sols are intended to be used in the formulation of potential stone consolidants. The sols were studied by several spectroscopic techniques including Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), ²⁹Si and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). According to the spectroscopic results the lauric acid produced by the hydrolysis of DTL modifies the condensation path of the Si species, leading to the formation of two types of oligomeric chains: linear swollen and multiparticle diffusion-limited aggregates, depending on the molar ratio Sn/Si. The ²⁹Si NMR results indicated that the hydrolysis of DTL catalizes the condensation of the Si species, giving as a result higher condensation extents of the Si species in the Sn-Si sols compared to a pure Si sol. Based on the Radial Distribution functions (RDF) and the FTIR results, heterocondensation occurred.     

Effect of microstructure on hydrolytic degradation studies of poly (l-lactic acid) by FTIR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry

Structural changes during thermally induced crystallization and alkaline hydrolysis of Poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) films were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FTIR spectroscopy, weight loss, HPLC and optical microscopy. It was shown that crystallinity (χ_c), glass transition temperature (T_g) and melting temperature (T_m) were found to be strongly annealing temperature (T_a) dependent. The FTIR study of PLLA films suggested that the bands at 921 and 956 cm⁻¹ could be used to monitor the structural changes of PLLA. An independent infrared spectroscopic method was developed for the first time to determine crystallinity of PLLA before degradation and it showed good qualitative correlation with DSC crystallinity. The higher crystallinity values determined by FTIR were attributed to the intermediate phase included in the IR crystallinity. Both the weight loss data and the percentage of lactic acid obtained by HPLC showed that the alkaline hydrolysis of PLLA films increased with increasing crystallinity. The DSC observation showed an increase in T_g and no significant change in T_m and heat of fusion, while IR showed an increase in IR crystallinity with increasing hydrolysis time. The increase in IR crystallinity and T_g with hydrolysis time suggested that degradation progressed from the edges of the crystalline lamellas without decreasing lamellar thickness, but increased the intermediate phase and the short-range order.     

29Si MAS-NMR Study of Silica Gels and Xerogels: Influence of the Catalyst

Four silica gels were prepared by hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in ethanol, using different catalysts: HCl, NaOH, NH₃, and NBu₄F. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms indicated that the HCl-catalyzed xerogel was purely microporous, whereas the other samples exhibited a very broad distribution of mesopores and a variable amount of micropores. ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectroscopy of the wet gels (before drying) pointed to a low degree of condensation for the HCl-catalyzed gel, and to the presence of unhydrolyzed TEOS monomer in the NaOH-catalyzed gel. Comparison with the ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectra of the xerogels indicated a significant increase of the degree of condensation during the drying procedure (3 hrs at 120°C under vacuum) for the HCl-catalyzed gel.     

Sol hydrolysis and condensation reaction time influence the sensitivity of class II xerogel-based sensing materials

Simplicity of preparation, a wide variety of precursors, and numerous processing variables (e.g., pH, time, temperature) are often described as attractive aspects of sol–gel derived materials. In the current work we create a series of O₂-responsive xerogel-based sensor films by simultaneously co-hydrolyzing and co-condensing tetramethylorthosilane and n-octyltriethoxysilane. Tris(4,7′-diphenyl-1,10′-phenanthroline) ruthenium(II) ([Ru(dpp)₃]²⁺) is used as the O₂-responsive luminophore. We determine the effects of [Ru(dpp)₃]²⁺ addition time to the sol and the sol hydrolysis and condensation reaction time (H&C) on the xerogel film O₂ sensitivity. [Ru(dpp)₃]²⁺ addition time has no significant effect on the O₂ sensitivity; H&C effects the O₂ sensitivity. The highest O₂ sensitivity is seen at early H&C (0.5 h). This behavior arises because TMOS and C8-TMOS react at different rates to form sols. At early H&C the co-hydrolysis and co-condensation reactions are not complete and the so formed sols are rich in C8-TMOS in comparison to their composition at longer H&C. At longer H&C, the TMOS and C8-TMOS co-hydrolyze and co-condense more completely. SEM images show that xerogel films formed at early H&C is more porous in comparison to those formed a longer H&C. The results of these experiments: (a) highlight the importance of documenting how sols are processed and xerogels formed and (b) demonstrate the use of a single sol formulation and H&C to create suites of sensor materials with different responses.     

Chemical tailoring of porous silica xerogels: local structure by vibrational spectroscopy

Monolithic porous silica xerogels were synthesized by the sol-gel process, and their local structure was analysed by vibrational spectroscopy. The silica alcogels were prepared by a two-step hydrolytic polycondensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in isopropanol, with a water/TEOS molar ratio of 4. The hydrolysis step was catalysed by hydrochloric acid (HCl), with different HCl/TEOS molar ratios (ranging from 0.0005 to 0.009), and the condensation step was catalysed by ammonia (NH(3)), with different NH(3)/HCl molar ratios (ranging from 0.7 to 1.7). After appropriate ageing, the alcogels were washed with isopropanol and subcritically dried at atmospheric pressure. The diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectra were analysed in terms of the main siloxane rings that form the silica particles, taking into account the splitting of the nu(as)Sibond;Obond;Si mode into pairs of longitudinal and transverse optic components, by long-range Coulomb interactions. It was proven that the proportion of residual silanol groups (which correlates with hydrophilicity), and the fraction of siloxane 6-rings (which correlates with porosity) may be tailored by adequate catalytic conditions, mostly by the hydrolysis pH. This was explained in terms of the reactions' mechanisms taking place in the two-step sol-gel process followed.     

IR Spectroscopic Investigations of Gasochromic and Electrochromic Sol-Gel—Derived Peroxotungstic Acid/Ormosil Composite and Crystalline WO3 Films

We studied the gasochromic effect of amorphous peroxopolytungstic acid (W-PTA), W-PTA (ormosil) and crystalline WO₃ films. These latter films were prepared after a heat treatment of W-PTA/ormosil films at 450°C. The ormosil served as a template, providing the monoclinic WO₃ films with adequate porosity. The spill-over effect was attained by impregnating the porous WO₃ crystalline films with H₂PtCl₆ followed by a heat treatment at 380°C. The amorphous films became gasochromic with the addition of PdCl₂ to the corresponding W-PTA and W-PTA/ormosil sols.Structural features of all the films were studied with the help of infrared (IR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In situ IR spectra of the films, performed in the presence of reducing (H₂/Ar) and oxidising (O₂/Ar) gases, revealed a reversible transformation of the monoclinic to the tetragonal H _x WO₃ phase. At the same time the coloration (reduction) of the amorphous films was accompanied by the formation of coordinated water molecules and increased numbers of W=O bonds. Gasochromic colouring/bleaching changes and the corresponding kinetics were assessed from in situ UV-visible transmission measurements on the films.     

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Differential Scanning Calorimetry Studies of Thorium and Tin Phosphate Xerogels

Different transparent phosphate xerogels were synthesized using concentrated solutions of metal chlorides and phosphoric acid with a proper mole ratio of both components. By this method we prepared bulk samples of thorium and tin(IV) phosphate xerogels by drying at room temperature or at 350 K. Some properties of these amorphous materials were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques. Depending on mole ratio metal/phosphate, these xerogels show, near 180 K, inflection points which we interpret asT _g . Samples dried at 425 K lose their transparency and have noT _g . Thus, it seems that the “glassy” state is due to water molecules remaining in the material. The same properties were confirmed by EPR studies of the xerogels doped with Cr³⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions as probes. These results show the existence of two different phases in the xerogels: a liquid-like one, in the range from 190 K to 350 K and a solid-like one, in the range from 4 K to 190 K.     

Structural and IR Spectroscopic Analysis of Sol-Gel Processed CuFeMnO4 Spinel and CuFeMnO4/Silica Films for Solar Absorbers

Black colored CuFeMnO₄ spinel powders and films were prepared using sol-gel process from Mn-acetate and Fe- and Cu-chloride precursors. Films were deposited by dip-coating technique and heat-treated at 500°C. For CuFeMnO₄/silica films 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (3-APTES) or tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) were used in molar proportion (Mn : Cu : Fe) : silica = 1 : 1. Films and powders were prepared by heating at 500°C. IR spectroscopic measurements were employed to follow the hydrolysis-condensation reactions in (Mn : Cu : Fe)/3-APTES sols hydrolysed with water, and (Mn : Cu : Fe)/TEOS sols hydrolysed with (NH₃)_aq (Stöber processing). The resulting coatings were examined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with electron dif-fraction analyses, Rutherford back scattering (RBS) and proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) techniques. Results revealed that (Mn : Cu : Fe)/3-APTES films had a composite structure consisting of the upper Cu_1.4Mn_1.6O₄ spinel and the lower amorphous SiO₂ layer. RBS measurements confirmed the composite structure, showing also that the composition of the film was Mn : Cu : Fe = 1 : 0.96 : 0.29, i.e. close to the precursors ratio Mn : Cu : Fe = 3 : 3 : 1. (Mn : Cu : Fe)/TEOS films prepared from sols which were catalysed with (NH₃)_aq consisted of amorphous monodispersed spherical SiO₂ particles with a size of about 400–420 nm. Solar absorbance (a _s) and thermal emittance (e _T) values of CuFeMnO₄ (500°C) and (Mn : Cu : Fe)/TEOS films (500°C) showed that CuFeMnO₄ films could be used as potential selective coatings for solar absorbers in solar collector systems.     

Sol-Gel Synthesis of Protoenstatite and a Study of the Factors That Affect Crystallization

Three different magnesium silicate sols were prepared from Mg(OMe)₂ and TEOS for which hydrolysis with H₂O₂ and H₂O was under stoichiometric, stoichiometric, or over stoichiometric. Xerogels were prepared from the sols by simple evaporation, spray-drying, or freeze-drying. The freeze-dried precursor formed mostly protoenstatite, a high-temperature polymorph of enstatite (MgSiO₃) that is generally not stable at room temperature; the other precursors formed mixtures of protoenstatite and clinoenstatite. The three xerogels and their calcined products were studied with XRD, HTXRD, BET, carbon analysis, TG/DTA and²⁹ Si-NMR. Residual carbon was found to be an important factor in the crystallization, and ²⁹Si-NMR spectroscopy was found to be a better tool than XRD to assess the phase purity of protoenstatite.     

Organosilicon Amine Complexes of Cobalt(II), Cromium(III), and Neodymium(III): Synthesis and Properties

Organosilicon amine complexes [Co(NH₂R¹)₂Cl₂] (I), [Cr(NH₂R¹)₃Cl₃] (II), and [Nd(NH₂R¹)₃Cl₃] (III) [R¹ = CH₂CH₂CH₂Si(OEt)₃] were synthesized by reacting anhydrous cobalt, chromium, or neodymium chlorides with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (NH₂R¹). Complexes I–III occur as colored viscous liquids that polymerize in air due to hydrolysis of triethoxy groups and condensation of the obtained silanol groups. Organosilicon films with a thickness of 10–200 m on glass and quartz substrates were obtained from liquid compositions containing complexes I–III, siloxanediols HO(SiMe₂O) _n H (n = 2–5), and alkoxysilanes NH₂R¹, MeSi(OMe)₃, and PhSi(OMe)₃ by solidification in air or vacuum. The obtained films were characterized by IR and electron spectroscopies, photoluminescence, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersion X-ray fluorescence analyses. IR and electron spectroscopies were used to study the structurization of the films and their behavior when heated to 100–300°C or exposed to gaseous O₂, NO, NH₃, or HCl. The film containing complex I was found to withstand heating in air to 250°C and to change its color in the atmosphere of NO, NH₃, and HCl. Complex I reversibly absorbs oxygen, and in the atmosphere of HCl, it converts into [NH₃R]₂[CoCl₄]. The Z-scanning method was used to uncover the cubic nonlinear-optical properties of the metal complexes.     

Structural, Vibrational, and Gasochromic Properties of Porous WO3 Films Templated with a Sol-Gel Organic–Inorganic Hybrid

 The structure and the gasochromic properties of sol-gel-derived WO₃ films with a monoclinic structure (m-WO₃) were studied by focusing attention on the size of the monoclinic grains. The size of the m-WO₃ grains is modified by the addition of an organic–inorganic hybrid to the initial peroxopolytungstic acid (W-PTA) sols which are based on chemically bonded poly-(propylene glycol) to triethoxysilane end-capping groups (ICS-PPG). The results obtained with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show that the heat treatment (500°C) of WO₃/ICS-PPG (0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 mol%) composite films results in a change of their morphology, and nanodimensional pores are formed between the grains. High-resolution TEM (HRTEM) analysis revealed the presence of an amorphous phase on the outside of the m-WO₃ grains, whereas energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDXS) showed that this amorphous phase contained W and Si. Impregnation of the WO₃/ICS-PPG film with H₂PtCl₆/i-propanol solution followed by heat treatment at 380°C gave the films their gasochromic properties. Infrared and Raman spectroscopic studies of the WO₃/ICS-PPG film confirmed the results of the corresponding HRTEM and EDXS analysis. In situ UV/Vis and in situ IR spectra of the films were measured in hydrogen and in air, and colouring/bleaching changes and the corresponding kinetics were assessed. The IR spectra of gasochromically coloured films showed that the mesoporous WO₃/ICS-PPG (1 mol%) film transforms to tetragonal H _x WO₃ bronze. The IR spectra of the H _x WO₃ bronze are discussed with the aim to establish the existence of the metal-OH vibrations of gasochromically formed oxyhydroxide tungsten bronze.     

General routes to porous metal oxides via inorganic and organic templates

The generation of porous metal oxides by removal of template molecules from inorganic polymers formed by sol-gel type hydrolysis and condensation of metal alkoxides is described. The template molecules include organic polymers, copper (II) ions in hybrid copper oxide/silica sols and copper (II) bis(hexafluorocetylacetonate) (hfac). Neutron scattering experiments on the system in which polyacrylic acid (Mw=2,000 Daltons) is used as an organic template to generate microporous tin oxide show that removal of the template generates skeletal voids. In a second series of experiments, mixed copper/silicon oxide xerogels were prepared by hydrolysis of mixtures of Si(OEt)₄ and Cu(OCH₂CH(CH₃)N(CH₃)H)₂ in the ratios of Si:Cu=2:1, 4:1, 9:1. Selective removal (etching) of the copper component generates porous silica. Neutron scattering data and BET surface area measurements are consistent with the creation of pores with molecular dimensions (micropores, 10 Å or less). In the third strategy, Si(OEt)₄ is hydrolyzed in the presence of Cu(hfac)₂, a volatile, inert inorganic template, in a 4 to 1 molar ratio. Removal of the template from the xerogel at 100°C in vacuo affords microporous silica.     

Optical Properties of Sol-Gel Derived Vanadium Oxide Films

Vanadium oxide gels can be made from vanadate aqueous solutions or from vanadium alkoxides. The condensation of vanadic acid gives long ribbon-like oxide particles which macroscopically orient in the same direction in aqueous sols when their concentration is larger than 0.12 mol·l⁻¹. These anisotropic sols and gels should be considered as lyotropic nematic liquid crystals. Thick films in which ribbons align along the same direction can be deposited. These oriented coatings exhibit improved electrochemical properties as reversible cathodes for lithium batteries. Amorphous oxo-polymers are formed via the controlled hydrolysis of vanadium alkoxides. They allow the deposition of optically transparent thin films that exhibit interesting electrochromic properties and turn reversibly from yellow to green upon electrochemical reduction. Moreover these alkoxide derived films can be easily reduced into vanadium dioxide. These VO₂ thin films exhibit thermochromic properties and could be used as optical switches in the infrared. The transition temperature of these VO₂ films can be modified by doping the vanadium oxide with other cations.     

Blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and cellulose

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) (intrinsic viscosity 0.59) and cellulose (Whatman) are compatible in up to 7.5% (w/v) solutions in trifluoroacetic acid and in mixtures of trifluoroacetic acid and methylene chloride. Evaporation of the solutions yielded films that did not contain cellulose per se, but rather partial esters of cellulose and trifluoroacetic acid. Clear films were cast from these solutions with compositions of 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100 PET. cellulose (w/w). Infrared spectra and DSC measurements indicate specific polymer-polymer interaction although two T_g were observed. Hydrolysis of the trifluoroacetate films to blends of PET and regenerated cellulose was accomplished by suspending the films in water at the boil. Infrared spectra indicate no interaction between the two polymers, although the films of the 50/50 and 25/75 PET. cellulose compositions were clear. The 25/75 composition, from its T_g and melting-point behavior appears to be a dispersion of very small-particle PET in a cellulose matrix. The 75/25 composition became opalescent during the hydrolysis and may be a dispersion of large-particle cellulose in a PET matrix. The regenerated cellulose appears to be a mixture of cellulose II and IV polymorphs.     

Bridged Polysilsesquioxane Xerogels Functionalizated by Amine- and Thiol- Groups: Synthesis, Structure, Adsorption Properties

Bridged polysilsesquioxane xerogels containing amine (–NH₂; –NH(CH₂)₂NH₂; —NH) and thiol (–SH) groups were synthesized by hydrolytic polycondensation of 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane, 1,4-bis(triethoxysilyl)benzene and appropriate trifunctionalized silanes in the presence of a fluoride-ion catalyst in an ethanol solution. ²⁹Si CP/MAS NMR give indication of the molecular framework of these materials formed by structural T¹, T² and T³ units. 3-aminopropyl or 3-mercaptopropyl groups accessible to proton or metal ions are fixed to the xerogel surface by the siloxane bonds. IR and ¹³C CP/MAS NMR data clearly show that 3-aminopropyl groups form hydrogen bonds. The same data testify that all xerogels contain non-condensed silanol groups and some fraction of non-hydrolyzed ethoxygroups. Functionalized polysilsesquioxane xerogels obtained by means of organic spacers have a porous structure (500–1000 m²/g) and a high content of functional groups (1.0–2.7 mmol/g). AFM data indicate that xerogels are formed by aggregating primary particles—the size of such aggregates is in the range 30–65 nm. It was established that the main factors influencing the structure and adsorption properties considered hybrid materials are: the nature and geometrical size of the functional groups, spacer flexibility and, in some cases, the ratio of the reacting alkoxysilanes and the ageing time of the gel.     

IR spectroelectrochemical studies of Fe2V4O13, FeVO4 and InVO4 thin films obtained via sol-gel synthesis

In this paper we generalize the IR spectroscopic properties of M³⁺VO₄ (M=Fe, In) orthovanadate and Fe₂V₄O₁₃ films. The films were prepared using the sol-gel synthesis route from M³⁺ nitrates and vanadium oxoisopropoxide. The vibrational bands in the IR absorbance spectra of the films are classified in terms of terminal V-O stretching (1050–880 cm^–1), bridging V-O^...Fe and V^...O^...Fe stretching (880–550 cm^–1), mixed V-O-V deformations and Fe-O stretching (<550 cm^–1) modes. Ex situ IR spectra of films were measured after consecutive charging/discharging to various intercalation coefficients x and correlated to the current peaks in the cyclic voltammetry curves measured in 1 M LiClO₄/propylene carbonate electrolyte. We classified the ex situ IR spectra of charged/discharged films according to their vibrational band changes. The results reveal that, for small values of the intercalation coefficient, crystalline FeVO₄, InVO₄ and Fe₂V₄O₁₃ films exhibit a simultaneous decrease in the intensity of all IR bands while the band frequencies remain unaffected. For the higher intercalation levels, IR mode frequencies are shifted, signaling the presence of reduced vanadium. Further charging leads to an amorphization of the film structure, which was established from the similarity of the IR spectra of charged films with those of amorphous films prepared at lower annealing temperatures. The results confirm that ex situ IR spectroelectrochemical measurement is an effective way to assess the structural changes in films with different levels of intercalation. Electronic Publication     

Aqueous Titanate Sols from Ti Alkoxide-α-Hydroxycarboxylic Acid System and Preparation of Titania Films from the Sols

Aqueous titanate sols were prepared by reactions of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TIP) with -hydroxycarboxylic acids in water. IR and Raman spectra, and elemental analyses of the precipitates obtained from the sols revealed that the carboxylates were chelated to titanium but the Ti species were polymerized to form a cluster that had a colloidal nature. Spin-coating of titania (TiO₂) thin films from these sols was also examined. Interestingly, it was found that (004) preferentially oriented anatase films with refractive index of 2.54 were obtained from TIP-lactic acid-NH₃ (1:1:1, molar ratio) aqueous sol. This crystallographic orientation was characteristic of the TIP-lactic acid-NH₃ (1:1:1) system, and was not affected by the kinds of substrates used and the heating rate of the film. TEM observation indicated that small anatase grains had already formed at 200°C. Therefore, the crystallographic orientation might depend strongly on the structure of the chemical species of the precursor solutions.     

Photophysical and Photochemical Properties of Ru(bpy)3 2+ in Si-Ti Mixed Oxides Xerogels Prepared by the Sol-Gel Process

The luminescence spectra and lifetime of tris(2,2-bipyridine)ruthenium(II), Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺, were studied in sol-gel reaction systems of tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and titanium(IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) with HCl. Luminescence lifetime in the TMOS system increased as the sol-gel reaction proceeded, because diffusion-controlled luminescence quenching such as oxygen and collisional quenching with solvent molecules were suppressed in the rigid matrices. On the other hand, luminescence lifetime in the TTIP system decreased during the sol-gel reaction. The decrease in lifetime was ascribed to electron transfer from photoexcited Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺ to the conduction band of the TiO₂ xerogels. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements were done to associate lifetime in the Si-Ti xerogels with the structures of Ti⁴⁺ sites in the xerogels.