High benzene selectivity of mesoporous silicate for BTX gas sensing microfluidic devices

The gas selectivities of highly ordered mesoporous silicates and commercially-obtained porous silicates with respect to benzene, toluene and xylene were studied. After studying the porosities, pore uniformities, and surface silanol structures of the silicates and their relationships to gas selectivity in detail, we found that we could achieve high benzene selectivity by controlling the micropore size (less than 1 nm). Concluding that mesoporous silicate has a suitable micropore size and structure for benzene selectivity, we also observed that mesoporous silicate SBA-16 exhibited a high (>6) benzene selectivity from toluene and xylene even in a pseudo-atmospheric environment. A benzene detection limit of about 100 ppb was achieved by introducing SBA-16 into a microfluidic device originally developed for the separate detection of benzene, toluene, and xylene gases.     

General description of the adsorption of proteins at their iso-electric point in nanoporous materials

A simple but remarkably precise geometric pore-filling model is proposed and experimentally validated for the adsorption of proteins at their iso-electric point (pI) in nanoporous materials. Three different globular proteins-lysozyme, myoglobin, and bovine serum albumin-are used as model proteins to study protein adsorption on two types of ordered mesoporous materials-silica and carbon-which allows us to study the effects of protein and surface structure on the protein adsorption mechanism. The geometric pore-filling model confirms that proteins are closely packed inside the pore channels of mesoporous materials, leading to an exceptionally large protein loading capacity. A relationship for the amount of adsorbed protein as a function of protein size, nanopore volume, and pore diameter is derived. The pore space gradually fills up to complete packing of the available pore space at the highest protein concentration. The high precision of the geometric pore-filling model demonstrates its utility to predict the protein adsorption capacity of ordered nanoporous materials.     

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.     

Mesoporous silica nanoparticle based controlled release, drug delivery, and biosensor systems

Recent advancements in controlling the surface properties and particle morphology of the structurally defined mesoporous silica materials with high surface area (>700 m(2) g(-1)) and pore volume (>1 cm(3) g(-1)) have significantly enhanced their biocompatibility. Various methods have been developed for the functionalization of both the internal pore and exterior particle surfaces of these silicates with a tunable pore diameter ranging from 2 to 30 nm and a narrow pore size distribution. Herein, we review the recent research progress on the design of functional mesoporous silica materials for stimuli-responsive controlled release delivery of pharmaceutical drugs, genes, and other chemicals. Furthermore, the recent breakthroughs in utilizing these nanoscale porous materials as sensors for selective detections of various neurotransmitters and biological molecules are summarized.     

Chiral Mesoporous Silicates Immobilizing Titanium Dioxide for Catalytic Asymmetric Epoxidation of Alkenes

Two kinds of titanium-containing silicates were prepared by doping of titanium salt and chiral additive in a sol-gel process, which were further modified by chiral sulfonyl chloride in order for catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of alkenes. These titanium-containing materials had good porosities, ordered pore size distributions, high titanium incorporation yields, ordered morphologies, as well as internal chiral configurations. Particularly, they contained a lot of titanium dioxide particles according to TEM. In catalysis, the titanium silicates showed good conversion of alkenes, satisfactory yields and e.e. values of epoxides. The chiral inducing synergy appeared between silicate matrix and attached ligand, which was significant for transformations of styrene and α-methylstyrene. Moreover, iodosylbenzene, tert-butyl hydroperoxide and hydrogen peroxide were all promising oxidants. In addition, the present titanium catalysts showed satisfactory recycling behaviors and chemical stabilities. This work would contribute to the design of efficient chiral catalysts.     

Enzyme encapsulation in nanostructured self-assembled structures: Toward biofunctional supramolecular assemblies

Enzymes have come into use for many new applications outside their natural biological environment, taking advantage of their high efficiency and selectivity as biocatalysts. Such new application often requires encapsulation to preserve the structure and activity of the enzyme, but also to regulate and control the activity. Here, we will discuss two types of encapsulation, soft matrices consisting of polar lipid liquid crystals and hard ordered mesoporous silica matrices. For both types of matrices, the challenge is to control the pore size of the matrices and the interaction with the matrix interface. Here, the polar lipid liquid crystals offer larger flexibility than silica, but on the other hand, it is considerably more sensitive to the environment.     

Ordered Large‐Pore MesoMOFs Based on Synergistic Effects of TriBlock Polymer and Hofmeister Ion

Ordered mesoporous metal–organic frameworks (mesoMOFs) were constructed with a uniform pore size up to about 10 nm and thick microporous walls, opening up the possibility for the mass diffusion of large‐size molecules through crystalline MOFs. The synergistic effects based on triblock copolymer templates and the Hofmeister salting‐in anions promote the nucleation of stable MOFs in aqueous phase and the in situ crystallization of MOFs around templates, rendering the generation of a microcrystal with periodically arranged large mesopores. The improved mass transfer benefiting from large‐pore channels, together with robust microporous crystalline structure, endows them as an ideal nanoreactor for the highly efficient digestion of various biogenic proteins. This strategy could set a guideline for the rational design of new ordered large‐pore mesoMOFs with a variety of compositions and functionalities and pave a way for their potential applications with biomacromolecules.     

Effect of synthesis conditions on the mesoscopical order of mesoporous silica SBA-15 functionalized by amino groups

Mesoporous amine-functionalized SBA-15 silica has been synthesized directly by the co-condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane (APTMS) under acidic conditions with an APTMS/(APTMS + TEOS) molar ratio of 10%. The effect of synthesis conditions, including TEOS pre-hydrolysis, as well as the heating temperature and time, on the mesoscopical order and pore structure of the functionalized SBA-15 have been studied in detail by means of powder X-ray diffraction, nitrogen sorption, transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectra and solid state ²⁹Si nuclear magnetic resonance. A functionalized SBA-15 silica with a highly ordered two-dimensional P6 mm hexagonal symmetry and a narrow pore size distribution centered at 6 nm can be obtained if TEOS is allowed to pre-hydrolyze for 2 h. For the sample with TEOS pre-hydrolysis time of 4 h, aging at 50°C or 150°C leads to a more ordered pore arrangement compared to 100°C and also a narrower pore size distribution with larger pore volume. Increasing aging time is in favor of the formation of mesoscopically ordered structure, but fails to obtain a superior pore structure.     

Triconstituent co-assembly to ordered mesostructured polymer-silica and carbon-silica nanocomposites and large-pore mesoporous carbons with high surface areas

Highly ordered mesoporous polymer-silica and carbon-silica nanocomposites with interpenetrating networks have been successfully synthesized by the evaporation-induced triconstituent co-assembly method, wherein soluble resol polymer is used as an organic precursor, prehydrolyzed TEOS is used as an inorganic precursor, and triblock copolymer F127 is used as a template. It is proposed for the first time that ordered mesoporous nanocomposites have "reinforced concrete"-structured frameworks. By adjusting the initial mass ratios of TEOS to resol, we determined the obtained nanocomposites possess continuous composition with the ratios ranging from zero to infinity for the two constituents that are "homogeneously" dispersed inside the pore walls. The presence of silicates in nanocomposites dramatically inhibits framework shrinkage during the calcination, resulting in highly ordered large-pore mesoporous carbon-silica nanocomposites. Combustion in air or etching in HF solution can remove carbon or silica from the carbon-silica nanocomposites and yield ordered mesoporous pure silica or carbon frameworks. The process generates plenty of small pores in carbon or/and silica pore walls. Ordered mesoporous carbons can then be obtained with large pore sizes of approximately 6.7 nm, pore volumes of approximately 2.0 cm(3)/g, and high surface areas of approximately 2470 m(2)/g. The pore structures and textures can be controlled by varying the sizes and polymerization degrees of two constituent precursors. Accordingly, by simply tuning the aging time of TEOS, ordered mesoporous carbons with evident bimodal pores at 2.6 and 5.8 nm can be synthesized.     

Methodology for the immobilization of enzymes onto mesoporous materials

Cytochrome c and xylanase were adsorbed onto two mesoporous materials, SBA-15 (a pure silicate) and MSE (an organosilicate), with very similar physical properties but differing chemical compositions. A methodical order was developed whereby the influences of surface area, pore size, extent of order, particle size, surface potentials, isoelectric points, pH, and ionic strength on immobilization were explored. In silico studies of cytochrome c and xylanase were conducted before any immobilization experiments were carried out in order to select compatible materials and probe the interactions between the adsorbents and the mesoporous silicates. The stabilities of the mesoporous materials at different pH values and their isoelectric points and zeta potentials were determined. Electrostatic attraction dominated protein interactions with SBA-15, while weaker hydrophobic interactions are more prominent with MSE for both cytochrome c and xylanase. The ability of the immobilized protein/enzyme to withstand leaching was measured, and activity tests and thermostability experiments were conducted. Cytochrome c immobilized onto SBA-15 showed resistance to leaching and an enhanced activity compared to free protein. The immobilized cytochrome c was shown to have higher intrinsic activity but lower thermostability than free cytochrome c. From an extensive characterization of the surface properties of the silicates and proteins, we describe a systematic methodology for the adsorption of proteins onto mesoporous silicates. This approach can be utilized in the design of a solid support for any protein.     

Mesoporous materials in sensing: morphology and functionality at the meso-interface

Mesoporous materials are finding increasing utility in sensing applications. These applications can benefit from a surface area that may exceed 1,000 m² g⁻¹ and fast diffusion of analytes through a porous structure. This article reviews recent developments in mesoporous materials-based sensing and provides examples of the impact of different surface functionality, pore structure, and macro-morphology in an attempt to illustrate the contribution of these factors to the selectivity and sensitivity of a sensor response. The materials discussed include ordered mesoporous silicates synthesized with surfactants, hard templated ordered mesoporous carbons, and metal oxides with porous textures which have been applied to advantage in various detection schemes. Chemical functionalization of mesoporous materials through silane grafting, co-condensation, and adsorption are also addressed.     

High-performance liquid chromatography of proteins using chemically-modified silica supports

Summary Highly efficient and fast exclusion-chromatographic separations of proteins are possible on chemically-modified, silica stationary phases. By optimizing the pH and the ionic strength of the aqueous eluent secondary interactions of the samples with surface groups can be excluded. Bonded propylamide groups proved to possess optimum properties for exclusion chromatography. With other functional groups adsorption effects cannot be excluded totally. The optimum pore size distribution for protein separation up to relative molecular masses of 500,000 daltnons is between 10nm and 50nm. With these silica-based phases the pore size distribution, the pore volume and the packing characteristics are independent of the eluent, therefore the same column can be used with aqueous as well with organic eluents. It is possible to correlate the elution volume (molecular size) of proteins with those of polystyrene standars. The recovery of the proteins and their biological activity has always been better than 90%. The potentialities of adsorption chromatography of proteins on chemically-bonded stationary plases with different functional groups are demonstrated.     

Synthesis,characterization and potential applications of new materials in the mesoporous range

M41S is the designation of a new type of mesoporous structures. The characteristics of these materials are large surface areas and very narrow pore size distributions, with pore diameters tunable from 15 to 100 Å. The M41S family consists of MCM-48, which has a cubic ordered pore structure, MCM-41, which has a hexagonally ordered pore structure and MCM-50, which has an unstable lamellar structure. In this review we cover the synthesis, modification, characterization and potential applications of these materials.     

Studies on the steam CO2 reforming of methane over ordered mesoporous nickel–magnesium–alumina catalysts

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Ordered mesoporous materials have received much attention because of their high surface area and ordered pore structure. The Mg-promoted ordered mesoporous...     

Gas diffusion and microstructural properties of ordered mesoporous silica fibers

Pore and surface diffusion of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) and ethylene (C(2)H(4)) in the nanopores of ordered mesoporous silica fibers about 200 microm in length was measured by the transient gravimetric method. The experimentally determined pore diffusivity data, coupled with the porosity, pore size, and fiber length, are used to obtain the actual length of the nanopores in silica fibers. These measurements reveal a structure of the ordered nanopores whirling helically around the fiber axis with a spiral diameter of about 15 microm and a pitch value of 1.6 microm. At room temperature the surface diffusion contributes about 10% to the total diffusional flux for these two gases in the nanopores of the ordered mesoporous silica fibers. The surface diffusion coefficients for the ordered mesoporous silica fibers are about 1 order of magnitude larger than the non-ordered mesoporous alumina or silica with similar pore size.     

Advances in the Interfacial Assembly of Mesoporous Silica on Magnetite Particles

Interfacing magnetic particles with ordered mesoporous materials is an effective direction for the development of functional porous composite materials with rationally designed core–shell structures. Owing to the combined properties of magnetic nanoparticles and mesoporous silica (high surface area, large pore volume, porosity, and biocompatibility), core–shell magnetic mesoporous silica materials have generated tremendous interest in various disciplines, including chemistry, materials, bioengineering, and biomedicine. Interfacial assembly strategies enable the rational construction of magnetic mesoporous silica materials with well‐defined core–shell structure, morphology, pore parameters, and surface wettability, which can decisively influence their physical and chemical properties and thus improve their application performance. This Minireview summarizes recent progress in the synthesis of core–shell magnetic mesoporous silica and the adjustment of key parameters, including pore size, morphology, and pore orientation.     

Fabrication of highly ordered porous membranes of cellulose triacetate on ice substrates using breath figure method

Highly ordered porous membranes of cellulose triacetate (CTA) were prepared successfully on ice substrates using breath figure method. The pore size and structure of the membrane were modulated by changing CTA concentrations and substrate materials. As the CTA concentration in the casting solution increased, the pore size in the formed membrane decreased. The regularity of the membrane cast on the ice substrate was much better than that of the membrane cast on glass substrate, because the low temperature of ice substrate slowed down the evaporation rate of organic solvent, which offered enough time for condensed water droplets to self‐organize into an ordered array dispersed in the polymer solution before their coagulation. The ordered porous CTA membrane was not only used for microfiltration, but also used for fabrication of functional microstructures. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 552–558     

嵌段共聚物与阳离子表面活性剂混合模板合成介孔SiO_2

利用三嵌段共聚物EO_(20)PO_(70)EO_(20)与阳离子表面活性剂CTAB作为混合 模板合成了内部孔结构与外观形貌同时受到调控的介孔氧化硅。与使用单一共聚物 模板制备的介孔氧化硅相比，在混合模板作用下得到的介孔氧化硅的孔结构有序度 降低，而孔径则随混合模板中共聚物的质量分数的降低而减小。在EO_(20)PO_(70) EO_(20)与CTAB质量比为1:1时可得到形貌完好、表面光滑的介孔氧化硅微米球，其 平均孔径为3.2nm，比表面积为972m~2/g。     

Syntheses of complex mesoporous silicas using mixtures of nonionic block copolymer surfactants: understanding formation of different structures using solubility parameters

The use of block copolymer (BCP) nonionic surfactant mixtures (including Pluronic, Brij and Tetronic types) as templates for synthesizing porous silica materials of mixed pore sizes is explored here. These systems have important applications because combinations of pore sizes can allow rapid access of reactants (via large pores) whilst providing the very high surface area of small pores for higher reaction rates or size selectivity. Examples of the materials prepared here include pore size bimodal hexagonal p6mm channel structures and cubic Im3m cage structures. It is shown here that the chemical similarity, as indicated by the solubility parameter, of the surfactants is an important factor in determining the pore structure and size distribution (PSD) of the pores. Monomodal pore structures are usually obtained when the solubility parameters of the surfactants are similar and bimodal pore structures when the solubility parameters are reasonably different. When the interaction parameter is very high disordered porous systems are formed. Ternary co-surfactant systems, e.g. P123-25R4-P65, can also yield highly ordered bimodal mesoporous silica with a hexagonal structure.     

孔径渐变的有序介孔炭的合成及电化学应用

以SBA-15为模板,硼酸为孔道扩张剂,蔗糖为碳源制备了一系列孔径渐变的有序硼杂介孔炭材料,并研究了其电化学电容性能。氮气静态吸附测试表明,当硼酸物质的量分数从0%增大到75%时,介孔炭的孔径从3.3nm增大至8.1nm,并保持有序的介孔结构。电化学测试表明,在KOH电解液中,硼杂介孔炭比电容明显高于未掺杂硼有序介孔炭,孔道有序性和孔径大小共同影响了炭材料的电容性能。当硼酸物质的量分数为50%时,炭材料的比电容性能最优。