Sol–gel synthesis of mesoporous silicas containing albumin and guanidine polymers and its application to the bilirubin adsorption

The organic–inorganic composite materials based on mesoporous silica were synthesized using sol–gel method. The surface area of silicas was modified by bovine serum albumin (BSA) and guanidine polymers: polyacrylate guanidine (PAG) and polymethacrylate guanidine. The mesoporous silicas were characterized by nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy. The obtained materials were used as adsorbents for selective bilirubin removal. It was shown that the structural properties and surface area of modified materials depend on the nature of polymers. Incorporation of polymers in silica gel matrix during sol–gel process leads to the formation of mesoporous structure with high pore diameter and a BET surface area equals to 346 m²/g for SiO₂/BSA and 160 m²/g for SiO₂/PAG. Analysis of adsorption isotherms showed that modification of silica by BSA and guanidine polymers increases its adsorption ability to bilirubin molecules. According to Langmuir model, the maximum bilirubin adsorption capacity was 1.18 mg/g.     

Hierarchical mesoporous carbon materials: preparation by direct tri-constituent co-assembly and the electrochemical performance

Hierarchical mesoporous carbon materials with large microporosity were prepared by direct tri-constituent co-assembly with the use of resols as the carbon precursor, tetraethyl orthosilicate as the inorganic precursor, and triblock copolymer F127 as the soft template. Bimodal pore size distributions in the range of 1.5–4 and 7.5–12 nm were obtained in the synthesized hierarchical mesoporous carbon materials after etching of silica by HF acid, showing a high surface area of 1,675 m²?g^?1 with a large pore volume of 2.06 cm³?g^?1. The electrochemical performance of the hierarchical mesoporous carbons was evaluated as an electrode material for electrochemical supercapacitor, showing a specific capacitance as high as 152 F?g^?1 at a scan rate of 5 mV?s^?1 in 6 M KOH aqueous solution and a good cycling stability with capacitance retention of 99 % over 500 cycles.     

Fabrication of Potentiometric Sensors for the Selective Determination of Ketoconazole

Abstract

The fabrication and analytical applications of two types of potentiometric sensors for the determination of ketoconazole (KET) are described. The sensors are based on the use of KET-molybdophosphoric acid (MPA) ion pair as electroactive material. The fabricated sensors include both polymer membrane and carbon paste electrodes. Both sensors showed a linear, stable and near Nernstian slope of 57.8 mV/decade and 55.2 mV/decade for PVC membrane and carbon paste sensors respectively over a relatively wide range of KET concentration (1 × 10^?2 ? 5 × 10^?5and 1 × 10^?2 ? 1 × 10^?6). The sensors showed a fast response time of < 30 sec and < 45 sec. A useful pH range of 3–6 was obtained for both types of sensors. A detection limit of 2.96 × 10^?5M was obtained for PVC membrane sensor and 6.91 × 10^?6 M was obtained for carbon paste sensor. The proposed sensors proved to have a good selectivity for KET with respect to a large number of ions. The proposed sensors were successfully applied for the determination of KET in pharmaceutical formulations. The results obtained are in good agreement with the values obtained by the standard method.     

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.     

Electroanalytical Applications of Microporous Zeolites and Mesoporous (Organo)Silicas: Recent Trends

Microporous zeolites and ordered mesoporous (organo)silicas have been widely used as electrode modifiers because of their attractive properties (ion exchange and size selectivity of zeolites, well ordered nanoreactors containing a high number of widely accessible active centers in mesoporous (organo)silicas). These properties have been intelligently combined to selected redox processes to improve the response of the resulting modified electrodes or to design novel electrochemical detection schemes. This up‐to‐date review provides the recent advances made in the electroanalytical applications of zeolite modified electrodes and discusses the interest of ordered mesoporous (organo)silica materials in electroanalysis.     

Characterization of iron-mesoporous molecular sieves obtained by a microwave-hydrothermal process

Fe-SBA-15 materials with different Si/Fe ratios (Si/Fe = 90, 50, 10) have been synthesized by a microwave-hydrothermal (M-H) process and characterized by several spectroscopic techniques. Electrons spin resonance and Mössbauer spectroscopies, along with electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, allowed differentiation of several iron species. These species correspond to hematite particles, very small “isolated” or oligomeric Fe^III species possibly incorporated in the mesoporous silica wall, and Fe^III oxide clusters either isolated or agglomerated, forming “rafts” at the surface of the silica and exhibiting ferromagnetic ordering. Due to their agglomeration, these clusters appear with a two-peak size distribution, with one peak corresponding to the isolated clusters formed in the mesopores and still embedded in them (ca. 2 nm diameter) and the other corresponding to the agglomerates spread on the surface of the mesoporous silica particles (ca. 9 nm).     

A green strategy for lithium isotopes separation by using mesoporous silica materials doped with ionic liquids and benzo-15-crown-5

Three new mesoporous silica materials IL15SGs (HF15SG, TF15SG and DF15SG) doped with benzo-15-crown-5 and imidazolium based ionic liquids (C₈mim⁺PF₆ ^?, C₈mim⁺BF₄ ^? or C₈mim⁺NTf ₂ ^? ) have been prepared by a simple approach to separating lithium isotopes. The formed mesoporous structures of silica gels have been confirmed by transmission electron microscopy image and N₂ gas adsorption–desorption isotherm. Imidazolium ionic liquids acted as templates to prepare mesoporous materials, additives to stabilize extractant within silica gel, and synergetic agents to separate the lithium isotopes. Factors such as lithium salt concentration, initial pH, counter anion of lithium salt, extraction time, and temperature on the lithium isotopes separation were examined. Under optimized conditions, the extraction efficiency of HF15SG, TF15SG and DF15SG were found to be 11.43, 10.59 and 13.07 %, respectively. The heavier isotope ⁷Li was concentrated in the solution phase while the lighter isotope ⁶Li was enriched in the gel phase. The solid–liquid extraction maximum single-stage isotopes separation factor of ⁶Li–⁷Li in the solid–liquid extraction was up to 1.046 ± 0.002. X-ray crystal structure analysis indicated that the lithium salt was extracted into the solid phase with crown ether forming [(Li_0.5)₂(B15)₂(H₂O)]⁺ complexes. IL15SGs were also easily regenerated by stripping with 20 mmol L^?1 HCl and reused in the consecutive removal of lithium ion in five cycles.     

Synthesis of pH-responsive mesoporous silica nanotubes for controlled release

A novel mesoporous silica tubes (MMT) which possessed pH-sensitive controlled release ability had been fabricated and synthesized by using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as template. The sample replicated the morphologies of the CNTs successfully. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of the materials can reach 1,017 m² g^?1 with the pore size of 3.8 nm. As a model drug, metformin HCl was applied to study the drug loading and control release ability of the materials. MMT possesses higher drug loading ratio (36 %) than that of MCM-41 (27.5 %). The release kinetics were studied in simulated gastric fluid (pH = 1.2) and in simulated proximal intestine fluid (pH = 7. 4), respectively. The result shows that the delivery systems exhibit well pH-sensitive control release ability and the as-synthesized materials have potential application in biomedical field.     

Nitric acid oxidation of ordered mesoporous carbons for use in electrochemical supercapacitors

Ordered mesoporous carbon materials with high microporosity were synthesized by a low temperature autoclaving of citric acid-catalyzed polymerized resorcinol/formaldehyde in the presence of the triblock copolymer F127 and were activated by nitric acid oxidation. The materials were used as electrode materials in electrochemical supercapacitors. A bimodal pore size distribution of 2.1–2.3 and 5.3 nm with a surface area of 465–578 m² g^?1 and pore volume of 0.44–0.54 cm³ g^?1 was obtained with the retention of an ordered mesoporous structure after nitric acid (2 M) treatment. The introduced functional groups produced a pseudocapacitance, which resulted in an increase in the specific capacitance. The electrochemical capacitance of the resulting mesoporous carbons showed a marked increase after 3 h of nitric acid activation, exhibiting a high value of 295 F g^?1 at the scan rate of 10 mV s^?1 in 6 M KOH aqueous solution and good cycling stability with specific capacitance retention over 500 cycles.     

An electrochemical sensor for p-aminophenol based on the mesoporous silica modified carbon paste electrode

A mesoporous silica was synthesised and used to modify the surface of carbon paste electrode (CPE). The electrochemical behaviours of p-aminophenol were investigated. Compared to the unmodified CPE, the mesoporous silica-modified CPE obviously lowers the oxidation potential of p-aminophenol, and remarkably increases its oxidation peak current. The effects of pH value, amount of mesoporous silica, accumulation potential and time were examined. As a result, a sensitive, rapid and convenient electroanalytical method was developed for p-aminophenol. The linear range is from 0.025?mg?L^?1 to 3?mg?L^?1, and the limit of detection is 0.01?mg?L^?1 after 2-min accumulation. Finally, the method was successfully used to determine p-aminophenol in water samples.     

Temperature Dependence in the Synthesis of SBA-16-Type Mesoporous Silica with Pluronic F68 Block Copolymer

By adjusting the local effective surfactant packing parameter through synthesis temperature, highly ordered SBA-16-type mesoporous silica materials have been synthesized by templating with a nonionic triblock copolymer Pluronic F68 in strongly acidic conditions at temperature 30～40°C with the addition of K₂SO₄. The prepared SBA-16-type mesoporous silica materials having Im3m cubic mesostructure were proved by the well-defined x-ray diffraction patterns combined with transmission electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that a transformation from faced-sphere to faced-polyhedron shape morphologies could be induced with increasing of the synthesis temperature. The nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis revealed that the mean pore size (5.50～6.13 nm) of the prepared materials increased with increasing synthesis temperature. However, when the synthesis temperature exceeded 46°C, only disordered mesoporous silca was obtained. Our synthesis strategies by adjusting the local effective surfactant packing parameter through synthesis condition, even in a narrow range, would be used not only to optimize the synthesis conditions of reported mesoporous silca, but also to fabricate new mesoporous silica materials with well-ordered channel and anticipated morphologies.     

Enzyme-functionalized mesoporous silica for bioanalytical applications

The unique properties of mesoporous silica materials (MPs) have attracted substantial interest for use as enzyme-immobilization matrices. These features include high surface area, chemical, thermal, and mechanical stability, highly uniform pore distribution and tunable pore size, high adsorption capacity, and an ordered porous network for free diffusion of substrates and reaction products. Research demonstrated that enzymes encapsulated or entrapped in MPs retain their biocatalytic activity and are more stable than enzymes in solution. This review discusses recent advances in the study and use of mesoporous silica for enzyme immobilization and application in biosensor technology. Different types of MPs, their morphological and structural characteristics, and strategies used for their functionalization with enzymes are discussed. Finally, prospective and potential benefits of these materials for bioanalytical applications and biosensor technology are also presented. Figure Enzyme-functionalized mesoporous silica fibers and their integration in a biosensor design. The immobilization process takes place essentially in the silica micropores.     

Planar sensors for determination of polyoxyethylated compounds

For determination of nonionic surface-active substances (NSAS), in particular, polyoxyethylated nonylphenols, in aqueous solutions, the planar sensors are developed based on various carbon materials (graphite, carbon nanotubes). The effect of the nature and concentration of electroactive compounds (EAC), carbonaceous materials, plasticizers on the electroanalytical and performance characteristics of planar NSAS sensors is observed. It is shown that the planar electrodes can be used in determination of individual homologues of polyoxyethylated nonylphenols in the concentration interval from 1 × 10^–5 to 1 × 10^–2 М at pH 4–10 in model solutions, in small-volume samples, for determination of the content of surfactants in technological preparations, domestic chemistry products, and also in environmental monitoring of natural waters.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Fe-JLU-15 Mesoporous Silica Via a Microwave-Hydrothermal Process

Fe-JLU-15 materials with different Si/Fe ratios (Si/Fe = 90, 50, 10) have been synthesized by microwave-hydrothermal process and characterized by several spectroscopic techniques. Electrons spin resonance and Mössbauer spectroscopies, along with electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, allowed differentiation of several iron species. These species correspond to hematite particles, very small “isolated” or oligomeric Fe^III species possibly incorporated in the mesoporous silica wall, and Fe^III oxide clusters either isolated or agglomerated, forming “rafts” at the surface of the silica and exhibiting ferromagnetic ordering. Because of their agglomeration, these clusters appear with a two-peak size distribution, with one peak corresponding to the isolated clusters formed in the mesopores and still embedded in them and the other corresponding to the agglomerates spread on the surface of the mesoporous silica particles.     

Synthesis of mesoporous Stöber silica nanoparticles: the effect of secondary and tertiary alkanolamines

The effect of secondary (diethanolamine) and tertiary (triethanolamine) alkanolamines as catalysts on the formation of mesoporous Stöber silica nanoparticles by sol–gel method was studied. The particles were characterized by thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N₂ physisorption measurements, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. By using ammonia and different alkanolamines as catalysts, the Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) surface area and pore volume increased in the order of ammonia < diethanolamine < triethanolamine. A maximum BET surface area of 140.1 m² g^?1 and pore volume of 0.66 cm³ g^?1 were obtained from triethanolamine catalyzed silica particles. The average particle size of silica prepared by ammonia and different alkanolamines as catalysts decreased in the order of ammonia > diethanolamine > triethanolamine. The role of different alkanolamines on the textural properties and particle size of silica is explained in terms of their relative steric hindrance and basicity.     

Nanocomposite phase change materials based on NaCl–CaCl2 and mesoporous silica

The synthesis of phase change materials based on NaCl–CaCl₂ molten salt mixture and mesoporous silica was investigated. The influence of mesoporous silica porosity and salt concentration on the thermal energy storage properties of the resulting materials is discussed. The nanocomposite samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The mesoporous silica was found to act as a reactive matrix for the molten salts. Composite samples with up 95% wt. salt can be obtained and used as shape-stabilized phase change materials. The materials have heat of fusion values of up to 60.8 J g^?1 and specific heat capacity between 1.0 and 1.1 J g^?1 K^?1. The samples exhibit thermal stability up to 700 °C and can be used for high-temperature thermal energy storage through both latent and sensible heat storage mechanisms.

     

Effects of Morphology and Structural Characteristics of Ordered SBA-15 Mesoporous Silica on Release of Ibuprofen

Three kinds of highly ordered SBA-15 mesoporous materials with different pore sizes and morphologies denoted as LPS-SBA-15 (stick-like with pore size 7.28 nm), CPS-SBA-15 (stick-like with pore size 5.96 nm) and T-SBA-15 (tablet-like with pore size 4.64 nm) have been prepared, characterized and employed as carrier materials. The release behaviors of the ibuprofen in a simulated body fluid from these mesoporous silica materials were studied. The influences of pore size and exterior morphologies of mesoporous silica on the release behaviors of ibuprofen have been investigated. It has been found that the release becomes fast with increasing of pore size and slow with extending of transport pathway, and that the release rate of ibuprofen from the three kinds of SBA-15 is LPS-SBA-15 > T-SBA-15 > CPS-SBA-15. The results show that the inner structure as well as the exterior morphologies of SBA-15 mesoporous silica can seriously affect the release behaviors of ibuprofen.     

Influence of cross profile of PE fibers on thermal properties of materials

Molecular sieves MCM-41 were synthesized from rice husk ash (RHA) as alternative sources of silica, called RHA MCM-41. The material was synthesized by a hydrothermal method from a gel with the molar composition 1.00 CTMABr:4.00 SiO₂:1.00 Na₂O:200.00 H₂O at 100 °C for 120 h with pH correction. The cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMABr) was used as a structure template. The material was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR, TG/DTG, and surface area determination by the BET method. The kinetics models proposed by Ozawa, Flynn–Wall, and Vyazovkin were used to determine the apparent activation energy for CTMA⁺ species decomposition from the pores of MCM-41 material. The results were compared with those obtained from the MCM-41 synthesized with silica gel. The synthesized material had specific surface area, size, and pore volume as specified by mesoporous materials developed from conventional sources of silica.     

Ordered mesoporous materials at the beginning of the third millennium: new strategies to create hybrid and non-siliceous variants

In recent years, research efforts in the field of ordered mesoporous materials are shifting towards either hybrid materials, containing both inorganic (typically silica) and organic functionalities, or towards variants that do not contain silica at all. Promising examples of hybrid materials are periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs); examples of non-siliceous mesoporous materials are carbons, polymers and metal oxides. They can be further tuned to obtain structures with a wide range of functional groups, and are candidates for applications in adsorption, catalysis, sensoring, microelectronics and several other applications.     

High-performance supercapacitors based on an ionic liquid-derived nanofibrillated mesoporous carbon

This article reports the superior specific capacitance, energy, and power density of a nanofibrillated mesoporous carbon derived from an ionic liquid source (IFMC). It was concluded that high specific capacitance and good electrical conductivity were originated from contribution of nitrogen content of IFMC, also the interesting nanofibrillated structure. A specific capacitance of 235 F g^?1 at a high discharge current of 5 A g^?1 was estimated for IFMC-based electrode which is higher than the most reported capacitance for carbon materials. An excellent performance of the nanofibrillated mesoporous carbon along with proper concentration of nitrogen constituent in the carbonaceous framework is indicative for important effects of tuning the carbon nanostructure for energy storage applications.