Grafting of vanadyl acetylacetonate onto organo-hexagonal mesoporous silica and catalytic activity in the allylic epoxidation of geraniol

Vanadyl(IV) acetylacetonate ([VO(acac)₂]) was grafted onto a hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS) using three different methodologies: method A – direct complex immobilisation; method B – functionalisation of the HMS with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) followed by the complex immobilisation; and method C – treatment of the APTES functionalised support prepared by method B with trimethylethoxysilane (TMS) to deactivate eventually unreacted surface silanol groups, followed by complex grafting.     

Organo-Laponites as novel mesoporous supports for manganese(III) salen catalysts

A Mn(III) salen complex was immobilized onto the Laponite surface using three different methodologies: method A, direct immobilization of the complex on the parent Laponite; method B, covalent anchoring through cyanuric chloride (CC); and method C, covalent anchoring through CC into a 3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) modified Laponite. All of the materials were characterized by FTIR, XPS, thermogravimetry, XRD, and nitrogen isotherms at 77 K, to gather information on the modifications introduced by the organo spacers within the Laponite surface, as well as on the anchored complex integrity; the Mn based materials were screened in the heterogeneous epoxidation of styrene. The results have shown that the immobilization of the manganese(III) salen complex by methods B and C have occurred at the edges of the clay particles through the spacers (APTES and CC) that have been anchored onto the Si-OH groups, whereas in method A, the complex is distributed throughout the clay surface, including the interlayer region. Therefore, the manganese loadings on the Laponites were as follows: materials prepared by method A > method B > method C. All of the heterogeneous catalysts showed high styrene epoxide selectivity, with that prepared by method A showing comparable styrene epoxide selectivity as the homogeneous phase reaction. The styrene epoxide yields decrease in the following order: materials prepared by method A > method B > method C (1st cycles), which parallel the respective support catalytic activity and decreasing of manganese content. The heterogeneous catalysts prepared using methods B and C could be reused at least for four times, with the former exhibiting the most stable catalytic activity, but that prepared by method A showed a significant decrease after two catalytic cycles.     

Modification of carbon nanofibres for the immobilization of metal complexes: a case study with rhodium and anthranilic acid

The immobilisation of the rhodium/anthranilic acid complex onto fishbone carbon nanofibres (CNFs) was executed by means of the following steps: 1) surface oxidation of the fibres, 2) conversion of the oxygen-containing surface groups into acid chloride groups, 3) attachment of anthranilic acid and 4) complexation of rhodium by the attached anthranilic acid. The immobilisation process was followed and the resulting surface species were characterised by IR, X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and by molecular modelling. Anthranilic acid bonds to the CNFs by an amide linkage to the carboxyl groups that are present after surface oxidation of the fibres. The immobilised anthranilic acid coordinates to rhodium through the nitrogen atom and the carboxyl group. The assynthesised RhIII complex itself is not active in the liquid-phase hydrogenation of cyclohexene. Reduction with sodium borohydride yields small particles (d = 1.5-2 nm) of rhodium metal that are highly active. The results indicate that different activation procedures for the immobilised Rh/anthranilic acid system should be applied, such as reduction with a milder reducing agent or direct complexation of the rhodium in the RhI state.     

Adsorption of fluorescent R6G dye into organophilic C12TMA laponite films

The absorption and fluorescence properties of rhodamine 6G (R6G) in organophilic laponite (Lap) clay films are studied. For this purpose, organo-Lap clays are synthesized by the incorporation of dodecyltrimethylammonium (C12TMA) as surfactant into the interlayer space of Lap clays. Two organo-Lap clays are prepared: one with moderate surfactant content (around 70% of the total cation-exchange capacity (CEC) of the clay) and a second with a high surfactant loading (about 130% CEC). Supported films are elaborated by the spin-coating technique and characterized by several techniques such as atomic force microscopy, elemental CHN analysis, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetry. IR spectroscopy reveals that the intercalation of R6G into organo-Lap films takes place at the detriment of the adsorbed C12TMA molecules. The photophysical properties of R6G monomers in the interlayer space of Lap films are improved by the presence of surfactant molecules. Moreover, organophilic environments can reduce the dye aggregation and favor the formation of fluorescent J-type aggregates, enhancing the fluorescence ability of dye/clay films with high dye contents. This improvement depends on the surfactant content.     

Adsorption and protection of plasmid DNA on mesoporous silica nanoparticles modified with various amounts of organosilane

Ordered MCM-41-type mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with pore size of 2.6 nm were synthesized and were further modified with various amounts of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), respectively, by a direct co-condensation method. These amine functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Am-MSNs) were employed to complex with plasmid DNA (pDNA) to study their adsorption and protection capacities. The results demonstrate the MSNs functionalized with aminopropyl groups present advanced adsorption capacities for pDNA immobilization. And Am-MSNs with high APTES amount lead to high amount of pDNA adsorption. Further investigation of pDNA protection shows that Am-MSNs with moderate APTES amount could completely protect pDNA from enzymatic degradation, while those with smaller and/or higher amount of APTES could partially provide protection of pDNA.     

Synchrotron SAXS/WAXD and rheological studies of clay suspensions in silicone fluid

Suspensions of two commercial smectite clays, montmorillonite KSF and montmorillonite K10, in a low-viscosity silicone oil (Dow Corning 245 Fluid) were studied by simultaneous synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)/wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) techniques and rheological measurements. In the 0.5% (w/v) KSF clay suspension and two K10 clay suspensions (0.5% and 1.0%), WAXD profiles below 2theta=10.0 degrees did not display any characteristic reflection peaks associated with the chosen montmorillonite clays, while corresponding SAXS profiles exhibited distinct scattering maxima, indicating that both clays were delaminated by the silicone oil. In spite of the large increase in viscosity, the clay suspensions exhibited no gel characteristics. Dynamic rheological experiments indicated that the clay/silicone oil suspensions exhibited the behavior of viscoelasticity, which could be influenced by the type and the concentration of the clay. For the K10 clay suspensions, the frequency-dependent loss modulus (G") was greater in magnitude than the storage modulus (G') in the concentration range from 0.5 to 12.0%. The increase in the clay concentration shifted the crossover point between G' and G" into the accessible frequency range, indicating that the system became more elastic. In contrast, the KSF clay suspension exhibited lower G' and G" values, indicating a weaker viscoelastic response. The larger viscoelasticity response in the K10 clay suspension may be due to the acid treatment generating a higher concentration of silanol groups on the clay surface.     

Modification of MCM-48-, SBA-15-, MCF-, and MSU-type mesoporous silicas with transition metal oxides using the molecular designed dispersion method

Four various mesoporous silicas (MCM-48, SBA-15, MCF, and MSU) were modified by the molecular designed dispersion method using Fe(acac)3, Cr(acac)3, and Cu(acac)2 complexes. The deposition was performed at the same concentration of the metal acetylacetonate (acac) complex in a toluene solution. All as-synthesized samples were investigated by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The calcined materials were studied with respect to their textural properties (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller adsorption isotherm) and chemical composition (electron microprobe analysis). It allowed elucidation of the mechanism of interaction between the acac complex and the silanol groups. For the MCM-48, SBA-15, and MCF materials, the formation of hydrogen bonding was found for the chromium- and copper-modified samples, whereas the Fe-containing materials showed the ligand exchange mechanism. The strong interaction of the MSU support and the different acetylacetonate complexes, resulting in a loss of at least one acac ligand, was observed. The mesoporous silicas modified with transition metal oxides were studied by UV-vis-DR spectroscopy. The different metal dispersions were found for the samples containing various transition metal oxides.     

Pt-containing pillared clay catalysts for CO oxidation

Platinum has been introduced into pillared clay as a complex with the organosilicon amine N’-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]diethyltriamine, as a complex with the organosilicon amine and zirconyl chloride, as an ammine complex, and by impregnation with a chloroplatinic acid solution followed by hydrogen reduction. The catalytic activity of the Pt-containing clays in CO oxidation in excess hydrogen was also studied. The last procedure yields the most active Pt-containing pillared clay. Calcium has been introduced into pillared clay by ion exchange, and it was found that the catalytic activity of the clay decreases with increasing Ca content.     

Characterization of vanadium and titanium oxide supported SBA-15

Supported vanadium and titanium oxide catalysts were prepared by adsorption and subsequent calcination of the vanadyl and titanyl acetylacetonate complexes, respectively, on mesoporous SBA-15 by the molecular designed dispersion (MDD) method. Liquid and gas phase depositions at different temperatures were carried out with vanadyl acetylacetonate, and the different results together with those of titanyl acetylacetonate in the liquid phase deposition were discussed. The bonding mechanism, the influence of the metal interaction with the support material, and differences due to the way of deposition and the temperature were investigated by TGA, chemical analysis, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy. Elevated dissolving temperatures in the liquid phase led to higher final loadings on the SBA-15 without the formation of clusters, even at high loadings. The decomposition of the anchored vanadium and titanium complexes, their thermal stability, and the conversion to the covalently bound VO(x) and TiO(x) species on SBA-15 were studied and investigated by in situ transmission IR spectroscopy. In general, the titanium complex is more reactive than the vanadium complex toward the surface of SBA-15 and has a higher thermal stability. The MDD method of the VO(acac)2 and TiO(acac)2 enables to create a dispersed surface of supported VO(x) and TiO(x), respectively. The structure configurations of VO(x) and TiO(x) oxide catalysts obtained at different metal loadings were studied by Raman spectroscopy. Pore size distributions, XRD, and N2 sorption confirmed the structural stability of these materials after grafting. VO(x)/SBA-15 and TiO(x)/SBA-15 samples, with different metal loadings, were also catalytically tested for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with ammonia.     

Analytical investigation of the chemical reactivity and stability of aminopropyl-grafted silica in aqueous medium

Various samples of aminopropyl-functionalized silica (APS) have been prepared by grafting an organosilane precursor 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) onto the surface of silica gel. The amine group content of the materials has been adjusted by varying the amount of APTES in the reaction medium (toluene). The grafted APS solids have been characterized with using several analytical techniques (N₂ adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectrometry) to determine their physico-chemical properties. Their reactivity in aqueous solutions was studied by acid-base titration, via protonation of the amine groups, and by way of complexation of these groups by Hg^II species. APS stability in aqueous medium was investigated at various pH and as a function of time, by the quantitative analysis of soluble Si- or amine-containing species that have been leached in solution upon degradation of APS. The chemical stability was found to increase when decreasing pH below the pK_a value corresponding to the RNH₃⁺/RNH₂ couple, but very low pH values were necessary to get long-term stability because of the high local concentration of the amine groups in the APS materials. Adsorption of mercury(II) ions on APS was also performed to confirm the long-term stability of the grafted solid in acidic medium. Relationship between solution pH and APS stability was discussed. For sake of comparison, the stability of APS in ethanol and that of mercaptopropyl-grafted silica (MPS) in water have been briefly considered and discussed with respect to practical applications of silica-based organic–inorganic hybrids, e.g., in separation science or in the field of electrochemical sensors.     

Development of Natural Rubber-Fibrous Nano Clay Attapulgite Composites: The Effect of Chemical Treatment of Filler on Mechanical and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Composites

Common nano clay fillers have layered structure. Some nano clays like Attapulgite (AT), Sepiolite have rod like fibrous structure. Compared to layered structured clay fibrous clay AT can undergo better dispersion in polymer matrix leading to better improvement in composite properties. Chemical modifications of AT are done through amine treatment as well as by amine+silane treatment to get chemically modified fillers AAT and SAT respectively. In the present investigation, nano composites are prepared using natural rubber (NR) filled with AT, AAT and SAT. Three different loadings of each filler are used namely 2.5, 5, and 10 phr (parts per hundred of rubber). Mechanical properties like tensile strength, elongation at break increase with the increase in filler loading up to 5 phr there after these properties marginally fall when loading is increased to 10 phr due to problem of filler dispersion at higher loading. However, modulus at 300% elongation and tear strength increases with the increase in filler loading up to 10 phr. Very similar trend can also be observed for composites with chemically modified fillers, AAT and SAT. But the degree of reinforcement is higher in the case of AAT and SAT compared to that of unmodified filler AT for the same filler loading. This difference is mainly due to better polymer-filler interaction and filler dispersion in the case of chemically modified clays AAT and SAT compared to unmodified AT. Tear strength of composites increases remarkably with the addition of AT and which is further enhanced when chemically modified clays AAT and SAT are added. Dynamic-mechanical analyses of different clay composites give idea about the difference in the degree of polymer–filler interaction due to chemical treatment of filler.     

APTES-modified RE2O3:Eu3+ luminescent beads: structure and properties

Europium-doped lanthanide oxide RE(2)O(3):Eu(3+) (RE = Y or Gd) luminescent beads, with a spherical shape and a diameter of 150 ± 15 nm, have been modified by reaction with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), in order to introduce reactive amine groups at their surfaces. The direct silanation has resulted in the formation of a nanometric layer at the surface of the beads, with an optimum grafting rate of 0.055 ± 0.005 mol APTES/mol RE(2)O(3). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopies confirmed the condensation of an organosilane layer, made of cross-linked -O-Si-O-Si- and of groups -O-Si-R (with R = (CH(2))(3)NH(2) or O-Et). Titration of the accessible amine groups has been performed by simultaneously measuring the luminescence of grafted fluorescein isothiocyanate and that of core particles: there are about 2.3 × 10(4) (2.8 × 10(4)) -NH(2) per Y(2)O(3):Eu(3+) (Gd(2)O(3):Eu(3+)) bead. The isoelectronic point was shifted by one pH unit after APTES modification. The surface modification by APTES at least preserved (for Gd(2)O(3):Eu(3+)) or improved (for Y(2)O(3):Eu(3+)) the red emission of the beads.     

A generic platform for the addressable functionalisation of electrode surfaces through self-induced "electroclick"

A novel and general strategy for the immobilisation of functional objects onto electrodes is described. The concept is based on the addition of two pendant ethynyl groups onto a bis(pyridyl)amine derivative, which acts as a molecular platform. This platform is pre-functionalised with an N(3)-tagged object of interest by Huisgen cycloaddition to one of the ethynyl groups in biphasic conditions. Hence, when complexed by Cu(II) , this molecular-object holder can be immobilised, by a "self-induced electroclick", through the second ethynyl group onto N(3)-alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers on a gold electrode. Two different functional groups, a redox innocent ((CH(2))(3)-Ph) and an electrochemical probe (ferrocene), were immobilised by following this strategy. The in situ electrochemical grafting showed, for both systems, that the kinetics of immobilisation is fast. The voltammetric characterisation of the surface-tagged functionalised copper complexes indicated that a good surface coverage was achieved and that a moderately fast electron-transfer reaction occurs. Remarkably, in the case of the redox-active ferrocenyl-immobilised system, the electrochemical response highlighted the involvement of the copper ion of the platform in the kinetics of the electron transfer to the ferrocene moiety. This platform is a promising candidate for applications in surface addressing in areas as diverse as biology and materials.     

Polymer/clay nanocomposites through multiple hydrogen‐bonding interactions

An 2‐ureido‐4[1H]pyrimidinone (UPy) motif with self‐association capability (through quadruple hydrogen bonds) was successfully anchored onto montmorillonite clay layers. Polymer/clay nanocomposites were prepared by specific hydrogen bonding interactions between surface functionalized silica nanoclays and UPy‐bonded supramolecular poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(?‐caprolactone). The mixed morphologies including intercalated layers with a non‐uniform separation and exfoliated single layers isolated from any stack were determined by combined X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic measurements. Thermal analyses showed that all nanocomposites had higher decomposition temperatures and thermal stabilities compared with neat polymer. The differential scanning calorimetric data implied that the crystallinity of polymers did not show essential changes upon introduction of organomodified UPy clays. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 650–658     

Thermal preparation and stabilization of crystalline silver particles in SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-based coating solutions

Ag/SiO₂ coating solutions for antimicrobial functionalisation can be prepared by a thermal reaction (reflux or solvothermal conditions) of mixtures of tetraethoxysilane, alkylamine compounds and AgNO₃. These coating solutions are especially useful for antimicrobial refinement of temperature sensitive materials like textiles or wood. Moreover coating application onto substrates such as glass or metal, as well as preparation of micrometer sized bulk particles by using a spray-drying process is also feasible. The efficiencies of AgNO₃ reduction in the presence of different amine compounds like triethanolamine, triethylamine or diethanolamine are compared. SiO₂ nanoparticles are formed by basic hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane and stabilize the crystalline silver particles in the solution. The antimicrobial effect of silver containing coatings on textile fabrics is investigated.     

Immobilization of human carbonic anhydrase on gold nanoparticles assembled onto amine/thiol-functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 for biomimetic sequestration of CO2

A biocatalyst was synthesized by immobilizing human carbonic anhydrase onto gold nanoparticles assembled over amine/thiol-functionalized mesoporous SBA-15. The physicochemical properties of the functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 were obtained by XRD, BET, FE SEM, HR TEM, EDS, and zeta potential analysis. The biocatalytic performance was studied for para-nitrophenyl acetate (p-NPA) hydrolysis. The kinetic parameters K(m) were found to be 22.35 and 27.75 mM, and K(cat)/K(m) values were 1514.09 and 1612.25 M(-1) s(-1) for HCA immobilized on gold nanoparticles assembled on amine/thiol-functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 (HCA/Au/APTES/SBA-15 and HCA/Au/MPTES/SBA-15), respectively. These HCA/Au/APTES/SBA-15 and HCA/Au/MPTES/SBA-15 were investigated for biocatalytic hydration of CO(2) and its precipitation as CaCO(3). The amount of CaCO(3) precipitated over HCA/Au/MPTES/SBA-15 was nearly the same as that precipitated over free HCA. Storage stability and reusability studies suggested that HCA/Au/MPTES/SBA-15 retained its activity even after 20 days storage at 25 °C and 20 recycling runs. The present results demonstrate that HCA/Au/MPTES/SBA-15 and HCA/Au/APTES/SBA-15 are highly efficient potential nanobiocatalysts for industrial-scale CO(2) sequestration.     

Application of Brazilian kaolinite clay as adsorbent to removal of U(VI) from aqueous solution: Kinetic and thermodynamic of cation-basic interactions

The compound N¹-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]diethylenetriamine was anchored onto Amazon kaolinite surface by heterogeneous route. The modified and natural kaolinite samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopic, X-ray diffraction, and nuclear magnetic nuclei of ²⁹Si and ¹³C. The well-defined peaks obtained in the ¹³C NMR spectrum in the 5.0-62.1 ppm region confirmed the attachment of organic functional groups as pendant chains bonded into the porous clay. The ability of these materials to remove U(VI) from aqueous solution was followed by a series of adsorption isotherms adjusted to a Sips equation at room temperature and pH 4.0. The kinetic parameters analyzed by the Lagergren and Elovich models gave a good fit for a pseudo-second order reaction with k₂ values 16.0 and 25.1 mmol g⁻¹ min⁻¹ ranges for natural and modified kaolinite clays, respectively. The energetic effects caused by metal ion adsorption were determined through calorimetric titrations.     

A novel photoadditive for polyolefin photostabilization: hindered amine light stabilizer

Hindered‐amine light stabilizers were surface anchored to polyethylene and polypropylene thin films by: i) direct photo‐grafting of 1,2,2,6,6‐pentamethyl piperidinyl‐4‐acrylate onto the surface and ii) by reacting of 1,2,2,6,6‐pentamethyl‐4‐piperidinol with succinic anhydride functionalized polyolefin surface. The samples were exposed to UV irradiation in air and the oxidative‐degradation of the polymers was studied with FT‐IR spectroscopy. The photo‐stability of surface anchored Hindered‐amine stabilizers (HAS) was compared with films stabilized with commercial HAS by melt blending. The results of the study evince superiority of surface anchored HAS over that of melt blended polyolefins.     

Photoresponse and anisotropy of rhodamine dye intercalated in ordered clay layered films

In order to elaborate organized two-dimensional arrangements of fluorescent dyes in host solid layered materials, rhodamine 6G (R6G) is encapsulated in supported thin films of laponite (Lap) clay. Clay films are elaborated by the spin-coating technique and their surface morphology is analyzed by scanning electron (SEM) and atomic force (AFM) microscopies. The internal order of the stacked clay layers is checked by X-ray diffraction technique (DRX). The thermostability of R6G in the Lap films is discussed on the basis of several thermogravimetric and calorimetric techniques (TG, DTA and DSC). The R6G adsorbed species in Lap films are characterized by absorption and fluorescence (steady-state and time-resolved) spectroscopies. Monomers, dimers and higher-order aggregates are identified for very low (<0.1%), moderate (1–25%) and high (>40% of the total cation exchange capacity, CEC, of the clay) dye content, respectively. Both non-fluorescence H-type and fluorescent J-type aggregates of R6G in Lap films are characterized.Absorption and fluorescence techniques with linearly polarized light are applied to evaluate the anisotropic photoresponse of R6G in Lap films, from which the preferential orientation of dye molecules with respect to the clay layers can be evaluated. The validity of the newly established fluorescence polarization is contrasted with the well-established absorption polarization method, and the emission spectroscopy with linearly polarized light can be applied to establish the preferential orientation of fluorophore molecular probes incorporated in any rigid and ordered 2D host materials, including monolayers and biological membranes.     

Versatile Bispidine-Based Bifunctional Chelators for 64CuII-Labelling of Biomolecules

Bifunctional chelators as parts of modular metal-based radiopharmaceuticals are responsible for stable complexation of the radiometal ion and for covalent linkage between the complex and the targeting vector. To avoid loss of complex stability, the bioconjugation strategy should not interfere with the radiometal chelation by occupying coordinating groups. The C9 position of the very stable Cu^II chelator 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (bispidine) is virtually predestined to introduce functional groups for facile bioconjugation as this functionalisation does not disturb the metal binding centre. We describe the preparation and characterisation of a set of novel bispidine derivatives equipped with suitable functional groups for diverse bioconjugation reactions, including common amine coupling strategies (bispidine-isothiocyanate) and the Cu-free strain-promoted alkyne–azide cycloaddition. We demonstrate their functionality and versatility in an exemplary way by conjugation to an antibody-based biomolecule and validate the obtained conjugate in vitro and in vivo.