Apatite-Silica Gel Composite Materials Prepared by a New Alternate Soaking Process

Novel apatite/silica composite materials were synthesized by modifying the surface of silica gel beads or plates with apatite. An alternate soaking process, which involves alternate soaking in a CaCl₂/tris-HCl aqueous solution (pH 7.4) and a Na₂HPO₄ aqueous solution, was utilized to prepare a composite of silica gel and apatite. The characteristics of apatite formed on the surface of silica gel have been studied using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data clearly showed surface modification of silica with the crystalline apatite. Pore volume and specific total surface area, which were measured using nitrogen gas adsorption apparatus, were decreased after apatite deposition on the surface of silica gel beads, whereas the external surface area was increased drastically. The alternate soaking process made it possible to prepare apatite/silica gel composites in a remarkably short period of time, i.e. several hours.     

Sorption equilibrium of methanol on new composite sorbents “CaCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>/silica gel”

This paper presents experimental data on methanol sorption on new composite sorbents which consist of mesoporous silica gels and calcium chloride confined to their pores. Sorption isobars and XRD analysis showed the formation of a solid crystalline solvate CaCl₂⋅2MeOH at low methanol uptake, while at higher uptake the formation of the CaCl₂–methanol solution occurred. The solution confined to the silica pores showed the sorption properties similar to those of the CaCl₂–methanol bulk solution. Calorimetric and isosteric analyses showed that the heat of methanol sorption depends on the methanol uptake, ranging from 38±2 kJ/mol for the solution to 81±4 kJ/mol for the solid crystalline phase CaCl₂⋅2MeOH. The above mentioned characterizations allowed the evaluation of the methanol sorption and the energy storage capacities, clearly showing that the optimal applications of these new composite sorbents are the methanol removal from gaseous mixtures, heat storage and sorption cooling driven by low temperature heat.     

Preparation and Characterization of Highly Proton-Conductive Composites Composed of Phosphoric Acid-Doped Silica Gel and Styrene-Ethylene-Butylene-Styrene Elastomer

Highly proton-conductive elastic composites have been successfully prepared from H₃PO₄-doped silica gel and a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) block elastic copolymer. Ionic conductivities of the composites depended on the concentration of H₃PO₄ and the heat treatment temperature of the H₃PO₄-doped silica gel. It was found that H₃PO₄ added is present mainly as free orthophosphoric acid in the silica gel. The composite composed of H₃PO₄-doped silica gel with a molar ratio of H₃PO₄/SiO₂ = 0.5 heat-treated at temperatures below 200°C and SEBS elastomer in 5 mass% showed a high conductivity of 10^–5 S cm^–1 at 25°C in an dry N₂ atmosphere. The water adsorption during a storage in 25% relative humidity at room temperature for 1 day enhanced the ionic conductivities of composites by about one order of magnitude. Lower conductivities obtained in the composite with the H₃PO₄-doped silica gel heat-treated at 250°C for 1 h were due to the formation of crystalline Si₃(PO₄)₄. The temperature dependence of conductivity of the composites was the Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher type, indicating that proton was transferred through a liquidlike phase formed in micropores of the H₃PO₄-doped silica gels. The temperature dependence of the modulus of the composite was similar to that of the SEBS elastomer. The thermoplastically deforming temperature of the composite was around 100°C, which was higher by 30°C than that of the SEBS elastomer.     

Effect of Calcium Cation on the Structure of Silica Gel Formed from Decationized Sol

Isotherms of sorption of water and tetrachloromethane vapors on a silica gel formed from decationized sol in the presence of calcium chloride are identified on the basis of the IUPAC classification. The manner in which the structure and sorption properties of the samples studied vary with CaCl₂ concentration and kind of adsorbate is analyzed.     

Water sorption by the calcium chloride/silica gel composite: The accelerating effect of the salt solution present in the pores

The kinetics of isothermal water sorption by the CaCl₂/silica gel composite initiated by a small stepwise pressure rise over the sample has been investigated at a constant underlying plate temperature of 35°C. The initial portion of the kinetic curves is consistent with Fick’s diffusion model: the amount of sorbed water increases in proportion to the square root of the sorption time. This makes it possible to determine the effective diffusivity of water (D _eff). At small amounts of sorbed water (w < 0.19 g/g), D _eff changes slightly. The diffusivity of water in the composite pores (D) calculated for the same conditions is close to the Knudsen diffusivity of water vapor in mesopores. The D _eff value grows with an increasing water content of the composite; that is, sorbed water accelerates water transport in the pores. This is likely due to the appearance of an extra diffusion channel, namely, diffusion through the aqueous solution of the salt, whose formation begins on the silica gel surface at w > 0.1 g/g. The contribution from this channel increases markedly when the amount of adsorbed water is above 0.25 g/g. This can be explained by the formation of the “connected” phase of the solution in the pores.     

Impact of phase composition on water adsorption on inorganic hybrids "salt/silica"

The effect of a "guest-host" interaction on the phase composition and sorption properties of the composite sorbents "salt in a porous host matrix" has been studied. The matrix was a mesoporous silica of KSK type, while the confined salts were CaCl(2), CuSO(4), MgSO(4), and Na(2)SO(4). Both structure and properties of the composites were studied by X-ray diffraction, titration in the pH range of 2-9, differential dissolution, and TG techniques. Chemical interaction between the silica surface and the salt during preparation results in the formation of the salt surface complexes and stabilization of the dispersed salt in two phases, namely, a crystalline phase and an X-ray amorphous phase. The water sorption properties of the composites depend on the phase composition and can be intently modified by using variation of the preparation conditions.     

Dynamics and isotherms of water vapor sorption on mesoporous silica gels modified by different salts

The mesoporous silica gels impregnated with different metal salts were prepared and studied. The pore structure and specific surface area of adsorbents were evaluated using nitrogen adsorption. Then, the sorption isotherms and dynamics of water vapor were carried out at 303 K and different relative humidity (RH). The temperature programmed desorption experiments were conducted to estimate the activation energy (E _d) of water desorption on the silica gels. The results showed that the sorption capacity for water decreased with the increase of the ionic radius (except the calcium ion) and that CaCl₂ and LiCl were particularly suitable for use in modification of the mesoporous silica gel to improve their sorption rates and capacities for water vapor at the lower and medium RH (RH < 80%). The larger the average pore diameter and pore volume of the initial silica gels, higher the accrual rates of the water vapor sorption rate and capacity were after modification with hygroscopic salts. The activation energy of the water desorption on the mesoporous silica gel modified by CaCl₂ were much higher than that on the silica gel modified by LiCl, because the polarizability of the Ca²⁺ was higher than that of Li⁺.     

Analytical Application of Silica Gel Modified with Didecylaminoethyl-beta-Tridecylammonium Iodide

Sorption of a high molecular weight quaternary ammonium salt, didecylaminoethyl-β-tridecylammonium iodide (DDATD) on different types of sorbents was investigated. The nature of reagent adsorption on silica gel was examined by spectroscopic and computer methods. The sorption of anionic metal complexes of cobalt, copper, zinc and manganese on silica gel modified with DDATD was studied. The possibility of recovery of cobalt and copper thiocyanate complexes and their further atomic absorption determination is shown. Modified sorbent was applied to cobalt chemiluminescence and determined in natural water and a nickel preparation (detection limit, 2 μg/l.).     

Hydrophobic Silica Aerogels Strengthened with Nonwoven Fibers

Hydrophobic silica aerogels were prepared via a sol‐gel process by surface modification at ambient pressure. Nonwoven fibers were distributed inside the silica aerogels as a composite to act as a supporting skeleton which increased the mechanical property of the silica aerogels. The morphology and pore structure of the composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N₂ adsorption analyzer. The contact angle and the adsorption capacities of the composites were also determined. The results show that silica aerogels dispersed uniformly and maintained high porosity in the aerogel‐fiber composites. They have excellent hydrophobic properties and are excellent adsorptive materials.     

Hydrophobic Effects of o-Phenanthroline and 2,2′-Bipyridine on Adsorption of Metal(II) Ions onto Silica Gel Surface

The effects of o-phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipyridine on the adsorption of metal(II) (Fe, Co, Ni and Cu) ions onto silica gel surface have been studied. The adsorption is expressed in terms of the measured concentrations of both metal and ligand at equilibrium. Each adsorption of the four metal ions is increased with the presence of the ligands. In addition, adsorption increases slowly with pH at low pH values and then increases rapidly up to near the pK_a value of silica gel (≈6.5). The adsorption of each metal ion at low pH is increased with increased ligand concentration. However, at high pH the adsorptions of Fe(II) and Cu(II) are decreased with increased ligand concentration whereas the adsorptions of Co(II) and Ni(II) are always increased. At low pH values the ligand to metal ratio adsorbed on the silica gel surface is ca. 3:1 while at high pH values it is 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1, corresponding to the initial ligand to metal ion concentration ratio. The addition of ethanol to the phenanthroline-SiO₂ solution results in a decrease in the adsorption of phenanthroline. The effect of ethanol is also observed in the Fe(II)-phenanthroline-SiO₂ system. The behavior of the adsorption is interpreted qualitatively by hydrophobic expulsion, the formation of surface complexes, and electrostatic interaction. It is concluded that hydrophobic expulsion plays an important role in the adsorption of metal ions in the presence of hydrophobic ligands on silica gel surface.     

Mono- and Di-valent Salts as Modifiers of PEO-PPO-PEO Block Copolymer Interactions with Silica Nanoparticles in Aqueous Dispersions

Colloidal stabilization of nanoparticle dispersions is central to applications including coatings, mineral extraction, and dispersion of oil spills in oceanic environments, which often involves oil-mineral-aggregates (OMAs). We have an ongoing interest in the modulation of amphiphile micellization and adsorption behavior in aqueous colloidal dispersions in the presence of various additives. Here we evaluate the effect of added salts CaCl₂, MgCl₂, and NaCl on the micellization and adsorption behavior of the poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer Pluronic P105 (EO₃₇PO₅₆EO₃₇). In 0.10 wt% silica nanoparticle (10.6 nm average diameter) dispersion, adsorbed block copolymer layer formation begins at a critical surface micelle concentration (csmc) of 0.02 wt%, well below the critical micellization concentration of Pluronic P105 in water. Dye solubilization experiments demonstrate an increase in the csmc upon addition of each salt. Each added salt reaches a level of maximum effectiveness in its ability to disfavor Pluronic P105 adsorption at the silica surface. These peak levels occur at concentrations of 0.005, 0.03, and 0.05 M for CaCl₂, MgCl₂, and NaCl, respectively, in the presence of 0.10 wt% silica nanoparticles. We explain these results in the context of an electrostatic displacer mechanism and discuss possible connections to OMA-dispersant formation.     

Characterization of Titania/Silica Gel by Means of Low-Pressure Nitrogen Adsorption

Adsorbents synthesized by grafting of titania onto mesoporous silica gel surfaces at different temperatures were studied by means of nitrogen adsorption–desorption and water desorption. The pore size distribution f(R_p) of titania/silica gel depends on the titania concentration (C_TiO2) and the temperature of titania synthesis. Nonuniformity of TiO₂ phase is maximal at a low C_TiO2 value (3.2 wt.% anatase deposited at 473 K), and two peaks of the fractal dimension distribution f(D) are observed at such a concentration of titania, but at larger C_TiO2 values, only one f(D) peak is seen. More ordered filling of pores and adsorption sites by nitrogen, reflecting in the shape of adsorption energy distributions f(E) at different pressures of adsorbate, is observed for adsorbent with titania (rutile+anatase) grafted on silica gel at a higher temperature (673 K).     

Preparation of Cu/SiO2 Catalyst by Solution Exchange of Wet Silica Gel

Structural formation process of Ni/SiO₂ and Cu/SiO₂ catalysts prepared by solution exchange of wet silica gel was investigated. Microstructures of Cu/SiO₂ and Ni/SiO₂ were quite different from each other. In the case of Cu/SiO₂, Cu particles with diameter of ca. 3–5 nm dispersed homogeneously at less Cu content, and the particle size of Cu as well as pore size of silica gel support increased with increasing Cu content. In the Ni/SiO₂, the Ni particles with diameter of ca. 6–10 nm gathered densely to form aggregates in silica matrix resulting in sea-island structure, whereas the size of Ni particle slightly increased with increasing Ni content. The difference in the structure of the metal-silica composites is probably caused by the difference in interaction between silica gel network and metal ions during drying and heating processes.     

Polyimide–Silica Gel Hybrids Containing Metal Salts: Preparation via the Sol–Gel Reaction

A facile preparation of polyimide–silica gel hybrids by the simultaneous in-situ formation of polyimides during the hydrolysis–condensation of tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) is reported here. The hydrolysis and condensation of TMOS was carried out in a solution of DMAc containing 5% LiCl, CaCl₂ or ZnCl₂ and the seven-membered cyclic polyimide intermediate. The seven-membered cyclic intermediates, precursors of polyimides, were derived from the low-temperature polycondensation of dianhydrides [benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), and 4,4-bis(hexafluoroisopropylidene)phthalic dianhydride (6FDA)] and di-isocyanates [isophorone di-isocyanate (IPDI), toluene di-isocyanate (TDI), hexamethylene di-isocyanate (HDI) and 4,4′-diphenylmethane di-isocyanate (MDI)]. These intermediates could readily be converted to the corresponding polyimides. Films were cast from the resulting mixtures and the solvent was gradually evaporated at 130 °C to result in the formation of clear, transparent, pale yellow or amber-colored hybrid films in which the salts were dispersed at the molecular level. Pyrolysis of polyimide–silica gel hybrids at 600 °C gave mesoporous silica. Silica gel obtained from hybrids HPI-8 (containing no salt) and HPI-11 (containing ZnCl₂) had a pore radius (BJH method) of 2.9 nm, while that from hybrid HPI-9 (containing LiCl) had a pore radius of 11.4 nm. The surface areas (BET method) obtained were 203 m² g⁻¹, 19 m² g⁻¹ and 285 m² g⁻¹, while the pore volumes were 0.373 cm³ g⁻¹, 0.158 cm³ g⁻¹ and 0.387 cm³ g⁻¹, respectively, for samples obtained from hybrids HPI-8, HPI-9 and HPI-11. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ethylene Adsorption and Oxidation Kinetics in the Reactions with Pd(II)/SiO2 and Cr(VI)/SiO2: Consideration of Substrate Distribution between the Gas Phase,Silica Gel,and Reaction Centers

The kinetics of ethylene oxidation by PdCl₂ and CrO₃ complexes supported on silica gel (300 K, closed batch reactor) and the adsorption of C₂H₄ by silica gel and metal complex reaction centers (M ⁿ ) were studied. A new version of the kinetic distribution method was applied to determine the rate constants of ethylene reactions with metal complexes with consideration for the equilibrium distribution of C₂H₄ among the reactor gas phase, silica gel, and M ⁿ . The rate constant of a first-order reaction with respect to Cr(VI) (k _e) remained constant as [M ⁿ ] was increased up to 0.15 mol % with the absence of detectable ethylene adsorption by chromium(VI). In the case of Pd(II)/SiO₂, strong ethylene adsorption by palladium(II) was found, and k _e was an exponential function of [M ⁿ ]. This exponential function is indicative of an increase in the specific activity of Pd(II) with palladium concentration on SiO₂. Taking into account the adsorption of ethylene (physisorption on SiO₂ and chemisorption on Pd(II)), we found an analogy between the kinetic behaviors of Pd(II) in reactions with ethylene on silica gel and with ethylene and other hydrocarbons in solutions.     

Hierarchical Tubular Structures Grown from the Gel/Liquid Interface

Three dimensional hierarchical materials are widespread in nature but are difficult to synthesize by using self‐assembly/organization. Here, we employ a gel–liquid interface to obtain centimeter‐long ～100 μm diameter tubes with complex mineral wall structures that grow from the interface into solution. The gel, made from gelatin, is loaded with metal chloride salt, whereas the solution is a high pH anion source. Tubes were obtained with a range of cations (Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺) and anions (CO₃^2? and PO₄^3?). The crystalline phases found in the tube walls corresponded to expectations from solution chemistries and phase solubilities. The growth mechanism is found to be akin to that of chemical gardens. The divalent cations modify the strength of the gelatin gel in a manner that involves not only simple electrostatic screening, but also ion‐specific effects. Thus, tubes were not obtained for those ions and/or concentrations that significantly changed the gel’s mechanical structure. At high Cu²⁺ loading, for example, vertical convection bands, not Liesegang bands, were observed in the gels.     

Thermal Behavior of d‐Ribose Adsorbed on Silica: Effect of Inorganic Salt Coadsorption and Significance for Prebiotic Chemistry

Understanding ribose reactivity is a crucial step in the “RNA world” scenario because this molecule is a component of all extant nucleotides that make up RNA. In solution, ribose is unstable and susceptible to thermal destruction. We examined how ribose behaves upon thermal activation when adsorbed on silica, either alone or with the coadsorption of inorganic salts (MgCl₂, CaCl₂, SrCl₂, CuCl₂, FeCl₂, FeCl₃, ZnCl₂). A combination of ¹³C NMR, in situ IR, and TGA analyses revealed a variety of phenomena. When adsorbed alone, ribose remains stable up to 150 °C, at which point ring opening is observed, together with minor oxidation to a lactone. All the metal salts studied showed specific interactions with ribose after dehydration, resulting in the formation of polydentate metal ion complexes. Anomeric equilibria were affected, generally favoring ribofuranoses. Zn²⁺ stabilized ribose up to higher temperatures than bare silica (180 to 200 °C). Most other cations had an adverse effect on ribose stability, with ring opening already upon drying at 70 °C. In addition, alkaline earth cations catalyzed the dehydration of ribose to furfural and, to variable degrees, its further decarbonylation to furan. Transition‐metal ions with open d‐shells took part in redox reactions with ribose, either as reagents or as catalysts. These results allow the likelihood of prebiotic chemistry scenarios to be evaluated, and may also be of interest for the valorization of biomass‐derived carbohydrates by heterogeneous catalysis.     

Low temperature heat capacity of the system “silica gel–calcium chloride–water”

Heat capacity was measured for two composite systems based on silica gel KSK and calcium chloride confined to its pores. One corresponds to an anhydrous state, while another contains water bound with the salt to give the composition of CaCl₂·2.04H₂O. The measurements were performed in the temperature range of 6–300 K with a vacuum adiabatic calorimeter. The smoothed experimental curves C _p (T) were used for calculating the calorimetric entropy and the enthalpy increment for both studied systems as well as the effective heat capacity associated only with water in the hydrated composite. The heat capacities C _p (298.15 K) of both composites were compared with those calculated as a linear addition of the heat capacities of silica gel and bulk calcium chloride (or its dihydrate) with appropriate weight coefficients.     

A New Synthetic Route to Microporous Silica with Well‐Defined Pores by Replication of a Metal–Organic Framework

Microporous amorphous hydrophobic silica materials with well‐defined pores were synthesized by replication of the metal–organic framework (MOF) [Cu₃(1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylate)₂] (HKUST‐1). The silica replicas were obtained by using tetramethoxysilane or tetraethoxysilane as silica precursors and have a micro–meso binary pore system. The BET surface area, the micropore volume, and the mesopore volume of the silica replica, obtained by means of hydrothermal treatment at 423 K with tetraethoxysilane, are 620 m²g^?1, 0.18 mL g^?1, and 0.55 mL g^?1, respectively. Interestingly, the silica has micropores with a pore size of 0.55 nm that corresponds to the pore‐wall thickness of the template MOF. The silica replica is hydrophobic, as confirmed by adsorption analyses, although the replica has a certain amount of silanol groups. This hydrophobicity is due to the unique condensation environment of the silica precursors in the template MOF.     

Use of Different Salt Solutions in Salting-Out TLC of Co(III) Complexes on Silica Gel

Saturated aqueous solutions of 28 different salts have been studied as a potential mobile phases for salting-out thin-layer chromatography, on silica gel, of a series of four mixed bis-aminocarboxylato cobalt(III) complexes. In addition, by linear regression analysis of chromatographic data obtained for fifteen mixed aminocarboxylato Co(III) complexes (four series) with solutions of ammonium chloride, three alkali metal chlorides, and four alkaline earth metal chlorides, four linear dependences previously established on different adsorbents with (NH₄)₂SO₄ solutions were confirmed. The qualities of the separations achieved with the salts were compared and Li⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺ chlorides are proposed as the most suitable.