Mesoporous silica with Ia3d cubic structure and good thermal stability

Ia3d cubic mesoporous silica with unusual thermal stability has been synthesized using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sugar surfactant dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside (DM) as co-templates.     

Single-crystal mesostructured semiconductors with cubic Ia3d symmetry and ion-exchange properties

If the full scientific and technological potential of mesostructured materials is to be achieved, systems with continuous domains in the form of single crystals or films must be prepared. Here we report a reliable and facile system for making large single-crystal particles of chalcogenido mesostructured materials with a highly organized cubic structure, accessible pore structure, and semiconducting properties. Building blocks with square planar bonding topology, Pt(2+) and [Sn(2)Se(6)](4)(-), in combination with long-chain pyridinium surfactants (C(n)PyBr, n = 18, 20) favor faceted single-crystal particles with the highest possible space group symmetry Ia3d. This is an important step toward developing large single-domain crystalline mesostructured semiconductors and usable natural self-assembled antidot array systems. The tendency toward cubic symmetry is so strong that the materials assemble readily under experimental conditions that can tolerate considerable variation and form micrometer-sized rhombic dodecahedral cubosome particles. The c-C(n)PyPtSnSe materials are the first to exhibit reversible ion-exchange properties. The surfactant molecules can be ion-exchanged reversibly and without loss of the cubic structure and particle morphology. The cubosomes possess a three-dimensional open Pt-Sn-Se framework with a low-energy band gap of approximately 1.7 eV.     

Ia3d cubic mesoporous silicas using EO17MA23 diblock copolymers made from ATRP

Poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(methyl acrylate) diblock copolymer (EOmMAn) prepared via an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) approach was used as a template to synthesize Ia3d mesostructured silica with thick walls under acidic conditions.     

乙烯基Ia3d介孔硅分子筛的环氧化及其固定化青霉素酰化酶(英文)

采用直接共聚法合成表面含有乙烯基的具有立方相Ia3d结构的介孔硅分子筛(V-ClMS),然后对乙烯基团进行环氧化制备得到表面环氧基功能化的介孔硅分子筛(E-CIMS),采用X射线衍射、N2吸附-脱附、透射电镜、热重分析和13C固体核磁共振对制备的介孔硅分子筛进行了表征.结果表明,表面含有乙烯基的V-ClMS介孔硅分子筛能被一步成功合成,并易于发生环氧化而获得表面环氧基功能化的E-CIMS介孔硅分子筛.将E-CIMS介孔硅分子筛作为载体用于固定化青霉素G酰化酶(PGA),研究了表面环氧基团对固定化PGA初活性和操作稳定性的影响.结果表明,随着表面环氧基团数量的增加,介孔硅分子筛孔径减小,表面疏水性增加,导致载酶量和初活性减小.但介孔硅分子筛表面适量的环氧基团能增强E-CIMS介孔硅分子筛与PGA之间的相互作用,从而提高固定化PGA的操作稳定性.     

Synthesis of ordered mesoporous carbon monoliths with bicontinuous cubic pore structure of Ia3d symmetry

Large-diameter-sized mesoporous carbon monoliths with bicontinuous cubic structure of Ia3d symmetry have been synthesized by using mesoporous silica monoliths as hard templates; such carbon monoliths show potential application of advanced electrodes and electrochemical double layer capacitors.     

Aqueous phase behavior of a 1-O-phytanyl-beta-D-xyloside/water system. Glycolipid-based bicontinuous cubic phases of crystallographic space groups Pn3m and Ia3d

Temperature- and concentration-dependent aqueous phase diagram of a novel alkylglycoside, 1-O-phytanyl-beta-D-xyloside (beta-Xyl(Phyt)), was studied using small-angle X-ray scattering, polarizing optical microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The phases found in this system include an Lc phase, an Lalpha phase, an HII phase, two inverted cubic phases of crystallographic space groups Pn3m and Ia3d, and a fluid isotropic phase, FI. The phase diagram of the beta-Xyl(Phyt)/water system is similar to that for the 1-monooleylglycerol (MO)/water system, suggesting that the phase behavior is largely determined by the overall molecular shape rather than the details of surfactant molecular structure. Moreover, the structural parameters of the beta-Xyl(Phyt) liquid crystals are also similar to those of the MO/water, due primarily to the similar molecular dimensions of two molecules. As compared to the MO/water system, however, the beta-Xyl(Phyt)/water system displays a lower value of TK ( approximately 8.(5) degrees C) and a wider temperature window for the mesophases (8.(5)-120 degrees C). Moreover, beta-Xyl(Phyt) is chemically more robust than MO, as the ether linkage is more stable against hydrolysis than the ester linkage and the phytanyl chain is fully saturated.     

An active and recyclable bicontinuous cubic Ia3d mesostructural Rh(I) organometal catalyst for 1,4-conjugate addition reaction in aqueous medium

An active and reusable heterogeneous Rh(I) organometal catalyst (Rh(I)-PMO-3D) was synthesized by template-directed co-condensation of Rh[PPh₂(CH₂)₂Si(OCH₂CH₃)₃]₃Cl and (CH₃CH₂O)₃SiPhSi(OCH₂CH₃)₃. This catalyst displayed bicontinuous cubic Ia3d mesostructure channel, which ensured the high dispersion of Rh(I) active sites and the convenient diffusion of reactant molecules into the pore channels. Meanwhile, the Ph-functionalization could enhance the surface hydrophobicity, which promoted the adsorption of organic reactant molecules on the catalyst, especially in aqueous medium. During water-medium 1,4-conjugate addition reactions, Rh(I)-PMO-3D catalyst exhibits higher catalytic activity than the corresponding homogeneous Rh(I) catalyst and could be used repetitively for more than five times, showing a good potential in industrial applications.     

A facile aqueous route to synthesize highly ordered mesoporous polymers and carbon frameworks with Ia3d bicontinuous cubic structure

By employing an organic-organic self-assembly in a dilute aqueous solution, novel ordered bicontinuous cubic mesoporous polymers and carbons with Iad symmetry are directly synthesized.     

Thermotropic liquid crystals from N-alkylpyridinium halides ω-substituted with a mesogenic group

A series of N-alkylpyridinium halides ω-substituted with a 4-methoxybiphen-ylyloxy mesogenic group were synthesized and characterized. The molecules of these compounds contain three distinct parts: a flexible aliphatic chain, a rigid polarizable aromatic core, and a positively charged pyridinium ring associated with a negatively charged counterion. Their thermotropic liquid-crystalline behaviour was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and optical microscopy. Three types of smectic mesophase, namely A, B, and E, were identified by X-ray diffraction. Their structure consists of single layers of upright molecules laterally arranged head to tail. Segregated from the non-ionic parts of the molecules, the ionic end groups are set in double layers with the oppositely charged species facing each other and equally distributed between the two sub-layers. For the ordered smectic E phases, the anions are arranged in rows along the rectangular two dimensional unit cell diagonals with the pyridinium rings sandwiched between them in a chevron-type structure. As for smectic mesophases obtained with soaps, the smectic ordering described in the present work relies primarily on the electrical interactions of the ionic endgroups. Although present, the van der Waals repulsions of the aliphatic and aromatic moieties turn out to be ineffectual.     

Freeze-fracture electron microscopy of lyotropic lipid systems Quantitative analysis of cubic phases of space group Ia3d (Q230)

The cubic phases Q²³⁰ (space group Ia3d) of type I (oil in water) and type II (water in oil) have been studied by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. The preservation of the sample structure during cryofixation was verified by low temperature X-ray diffraction. Three types of fracture planes were clearly identified in the type I system and two in the type II system. These fracture planes showed two-dimensionally ordered domains, each subdivided into subdomains related to each other by displacements and rotations compatible with the symmetry of the space group. The images were filtered using correlation averaging techniques and the filtered images were compared with the corresponding sections of the electron density map. Several conclusions were drawn: (i) The structures of the samples had been preserved after quenching, fracturing and replicating processes, (ii) The electron microscope images were fully compatible with the postulated space group symmetries. (iii) The fracture planes coincide with the planes giving rise to the most intense X-ray reflections and containing the rod-like structure elements that seem to facilitate the propagation of the fractures. This approach constitutes a new and powerful tool of general interest for the study of liquid crystals.     

Phase behavior of a thermotropic cubic mesogen 4'-n-hexadecyloxy-3'-nitro- biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid under pressure

The phase behavior of an optically isotropic cubic mesogen 4'-n-hexadecyloxy-3'-nitrobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid (ANBC-16) was investigated under hydrostatic pressures up to 200 MPa using a high-pressure DTA, a polarizing optical microscope equipped with a high-pressure hot-stage and a wide-angle X-ray diffractometer equipped with a high-pressure vessel. In the T vs. P phase diagram constructed in the heating mode, a triple point exists at 54±1 MPa and 205±1°C for the SmC, cubic, and SmA phases. A new mesophase, denoted here as X, appears in place of the cubic phase under pressures above about 60 MPa, while the X phase appears on cooling in the whole pressure region studied. Thus the X phase is a monotropic (metastable) phase between the SmA and Cub phases in the low pressure region, while being an enantiotropic phase between the SmA and SmC phases in the high pressure range. The X phase exhibits broken-fan or sand-like textures under pressure and a spot-like diffraction pattern, indicating the birefringent feature and no layered structure. It is suggested that the X phase is tetragonal or hexagonal columnar phase. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal behaviour under pressure of the thermotropic cubic mesogen 4'- n -alkoxy-3'-nitrobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acids

The thermal behaviour of members of a homologous series which exhibits the optically isotropic cubic phase, the 4'- n -alkoxy-3'-nitrobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acids having alkoxy chains containing 16, 20 and 22 carbon atoms (referred to as ANBC-16, -20 and -22, respectively) was investigated under pressures up to 200-400 MPa by high pressure differential thermal analysis. In the phase diagram of ANBC-16 obtained on heating, a triple point was estimated at 54 ±1 MPa and 205 ±1°C for the SmC, Cub and SmA phases. It was found that the X phase is formed on cooling under all pressures, while appearing on heating at high pressures above about 54 MPa. Thus the X phase appears monotropically between the SmA and Cub phases in the low pressure region and enantiotropically between the SmA and SmC phases under higher pressures. It is strongly suggested that the X phase is a columnar mesophase. For ANBC-20 and -22, the cubic phase tends to be destabilized with increasing pressure. The temperature region of the cubic phase of ANBC-20 becomes narrower with increasing pressure and a triple point for the SmC, Cub and I phases is estimated to be at about 309 MPa. On the other hand, the cubic phase of ANBC-22 is still observed at the highest pressure examined.     

An unusual phase of some thermotropic liquid crystals. A carbon-13 NMR study

Upon slow cooling, a small fraction of the thermotropic liquid crystal S1496 exhibits a new phase which shows a high-resolution carbon-13 NMR spectrum with isotropic chemical shifts. This new phase is probably either cubic phase or a plastic phase. Its formation is facilitated by the addition of small amounts of solutes. Some other liquid crystals containing alkylcyclohexanes behave similarly.     

3D interconnected ionic nano-channels formed in polymer films: self-organization and polymerization of thermotropic bicontinuous cubic liquid crystals

Thermotropic bicontinuous cubic (Cub(bi)) liquid-crystalline (LC) compounds based on a polymerizable ammonium moiety complexed with a lithium salt have been designed to obtain lithium ion-conductive all solid polymeric films having 3D interconnected ionic channels. The monomer shows a Cub(bi) phase from -5 to 19 °C on heating. The complexes retain the ability to form the Cub(bi) LC phase. They also form hexagonal columnar (Col(h)) LC phases at temperatures higher than those of the Cub(bi) phases. The complex of the monomer and LiBF(4) at the molar ratio of 4:1 exhibits the Cub(bi) and Col(h) phases between -6 to 19 °C and 19 to 56 °C, respectively, on heating. The Cub(bi) LC structure formed by the complex has been successfully preserved by in situ photopolymerization through UV irradiation in the presence of a photoinitiator. The resultant nanostructured film is optically transparent and free-standing. The X-ray analysis of the film confirms the preservation of the self-assembled nanostructure. The polymer film with the Cub(bi) LC nanostructure exhibits higher ionic conductivities than the polymer films obtained by photopolymerization of the complex in the Col(h) and isotropic phases. It is found that the 3D interconnected ionic channels derived from the Cub(bi) phase function as efficient ion-conductive pathways.     

Electric field-induced cubic phase in 4'-n-docosyloxy-3'-nitrobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid

We examine the influence of an alternating-current electric field on the lamellar smectic C (SmC) phase of 4'-n-docosyloxy-3'-nitrobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid, and the formation of a field-induced cubic (Cub) phase with optical isotropy was observed for the first time. The induction was realized down to a temperature 10 K below the zero-field SmC to Cub phase transition temperature (TSmC-Cub). The formation of the induced Cub phase gave rise to a gradual increase of the shear storage modulus, and the modulus recovered quickly in response to the removal of the field, which is of interest as future applications to the stress transferring device.     

Three‐Dimensional Ultralarge‐Pore Ia3d Mesoporous Silica with Various Pore Diameters and Their Application in Biomolecule Immobilization

Highly ordered mesoporous three‐dimensional Ia3d silica (KIT‐6) with different pore diameters has been synthesized by using pluronic P123 as surfactant template and n‐butanol as cosolvent at different synthesis temperatures in a highly acidic medium. The materials were characterized by XRD and N₂ adsorption. The synthesis temperature plays a significant role in controlling the pore diameter, surface area, and pore volume of the materials. The material prepared at 150 °C, KIT‐6‐150, has a large pore diameter (11.3 nm) and a high specific pore volume (1.53 cm³ g^?1). We also demonstrate immobilization of lysozyme, which is a stable and hard protein, on KIT‐6 materials with different pore diameters. The amount of lysozyme adsorbed on large‐pore KIT‐6 is extremely large (57.2 μmol g^?1) and is much higher than that observed for mesoporous silicas MCM‐41, SBA‐15, and KIT‐5, mesoporous carbons, and carbon nanocages. The effect of various parameters such as buffer concentration, adsorption temperature, concentration of the lysozyme, and the textural parameter of the adsorbent on the lysozyme adsorption capacity of KIT‐6 was studied. The amount adsorbed mainly depends on solution pH, ionic strength, adsorption temperature, and pore volume and pore diameter of the adsorbent. The mechanism of adsorption on KIT‐6 under different adsorption conditions is discussed. In addition, the structural stability of lysozyme molecules and the KIT‐6 adsorbent before and after adsorption were investigated by XRD, nitrogen adsorption, and FTIR spectroscopy.