Novel,Organically Doped,Sol–Gel-Derived Materials for Photonics: Multiphasic Nanostructured Composite Monoliths and Optical Fibers

Sol–gel-processed organic–inorganic hybrid materials combine the merits of inorganic glass and organic molecules, and are therefore a class of materials with good potential for photonics. In this review, two approaches which have shown promising results for producing useful materials for photonics are described: (i) a novel way to fabricate organically doped, multiphasic nanostructured composite monoliths and (ii) a method of fabrication of organically doped, sol–gel-derived optical fibers. For each approach, the preparation process is presented, together with selected applications such as multidye solid-state tunable laser, multiphasic optical power limiter, a micron-scale chemical-sensing and biosensing fibers and solid-state dye-doped fiber lasers. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Epoxide Opening versus Silica Condensation during Sol–Gel Hybrid Biomaterial Synthesis

Hybrid organic–inorganic solids represent an important class of engineering materials, usually prepared by sol–gel processes by cross‐reaction between organic and inorganic precursors. The choice of the two components and control of the reaction conditions (especially pH value) allow the synthesis of hybrid materials with novel properties and functionalities. 3‐Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) is one of the most commonly used organic silanes for hybrid‐material fabrication. Herein, the reactivity of GPTMS in water at different pH values (pH 2–11) was deeply investigated for the first time by solution‐state multinuclear NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analysis. The extent of the different and competing reactions that take place as a function of the pH value was elucidated. The NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data clearly indicate that the pH value determines the kinetics of epoxide hydrolysis versus silicon condensation. Under slighly acidic conditions, the epoxy‐ring hydrolysis is kinetically more favourable than the formation of the silica network. In contrast, under basic conditions, silicon condensation is the main reaction that takes place. Full characterisation of the formed intermediates was carried out by using NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analysis. These results indicate that strict control of the pH values allows tuning of the reactivity of the organic and inorganic moities, thus laying the foundations for the design and synthesis of sol–gel hybrid biomaterials with tuneable properties.     

Effect of preparation of titania sol on the structure and properties of acrylic resin/titania hybrid materials

Acrylic resin/titania organic–inorganic hybrid materials were prepared by mixing titania sol produced by the sol–gel process with synthesized thermoplastic acrylic resins. The effects of the amounts of water and acid on hydrolysis and condensation of the sol–gel precursor (titanium n‐butoxide) were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, and their corresponding influences on the structure and properties of the hybrid films were investigated by small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), atomic force microscopy, dynamical mechanical analysis, an Instron testing machine, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. SAXS indicated an open structure and nanoscale size for the titania phase of the hybrids. Higher titania content and a greater amount of water or acid in the sol–gel process resulted in titania domains that were larger size and had a more compact structure. The mechanical and UV‐shielding properties of the organic polymer obviously were improved with titania embedded. As the amount of water or acid in the sol–gel process increased, integrative mechanical properties decreased, with the amount of water having a greater impact than the amount of acid on the structure and optical properties. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3682–3694, 2004     

“Chimie douce”: A land of opportunities for the designed construction of functional inorganic and hybrid organic-inorganic nanomaterials

“Chimie douce” based strategies allow, through the deep knowledge of materials chemistry and processing, the birth of the molecular engineering of nanomaterials. This feature article will highlight some of the main research accomplishments we have performed during the last years. We describe successively the design and properties of: sol–gel derived hybrids, Nano Building Blocks (NBBs) based hybrid materials, nanostructured porous materials proceeds as thin films and ultra-thin films, aerosol processed mesoporous powders and finally hierarchically structured materials. The importance of the control of the hybrid interfaces via the use of modern tools as DOSY NMR, SAXS, WAXS, Ellipsometry that are very useful to evaluate in situ the hybrid interfaces and the self-assembly processes is emphasized. Some examples of the optical, photocatalytic, electrochemical and mechanical properties of the resulting inorganic or hybrid nanomaterials are also presented.     

Siloxane-Based Nanobuilding Blocks by Reaction Between Silanediol and Trifunctional Silicon Alkoxides

The preparation of nanostructured organic-inorganic materials by assembling of nanobuilding blocks allows controlling the extent of phase interaction, which in its turn governs structure-properties relationships. We present here the synthesis of siloxane-based nanobuilding blocks prepared by reacting diphenylsilanediol with vinyltriethoxysilane and triethoxysilane. The reaction products were obtained by non-hydrolytic condensation between silanediol and ethoxide groups in inert atmosphere, in the presence of pyridine, triethylamine or butyl lithium. Different synthetic conditions were examined by means of ATR-FTIR and NMR spectroscopies, showing the formation of siloxane bonds. In the case of triethoxysilane the reaction carried out in the presence of pyridine leads to Si–H bond preservation in the final product. Air stable products with improved Si–O–Si hydrolytic stability can be obtained by removal of the base after the reaction completion. The condensation products can be described as a mixture of siloxane rings involving difunctional and trifunctional silicon units.     

An expedient ‘click’ approach for the synthetic evaluation of ester‐triazole‐tethered organosilica conjugates

The present work articulates the synthesis of a new series of organo‐functionalized triethoxysilanes derived from versatile carboxylic acids and 3‐azidopropyltriethoxysilane in excellent yields. A proficient and convenient route implicating the Cu(I)‐catalysed 1,3‐cycloaddition of organic azide with terminal alkynes, labelled as click silylation, has been developed for the generation of ester‐triazole‐linked alkoxysilanyl scaffolds ( 4a – f ). All the synthesized compounds have been thoroughly characterized using elemental analysis and Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic techniques. Importantly, the fabricated alkoxysilanes are potentially amenable for an in situ sol–gel condensation reaction with silica nanospheres leading to the incorporation of organic functionality via covalent grafting onto the nanostructured particle system. As a proof of concept, a one‐pot preparation of organic–inorganic hybrid nanoparticles is presented using bis‐silane 4 f . The efficiency and selectivity of the prepared nanocomposite towards metal ions is highlighted using adsorption experiments, and the immobilized nanoparticles present a high sensing efficiency towards Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions while demonstrating better response than that of the bulk material.     

Inorganic membranes and solid state sciences

The latest developments in inorganic membranes are closely related to recent advances in solid state science. Sol–gel processing, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition and hydrothermal synthesis are methods that can be used for inorganic membrane preparation. Innovative concepts from material science (templating effect, nanophase materials, growing of continuous zeolite layers, hybrid organic–inorganic materials) have been applied by our group to the preparation of inorganic membrane materials. Sol–gel-derived nanophase ceramic membranes are presented with current applications in nanofiltration and catalytic membrane reactors. Silica membranes with an ordered porosity, due to liquid crystal phase templating effect, are described with potential application in pervaporation. Defect-free and thermally stable zeolite membranes can be obtained through an original synthesis method, in which zeolite crystals are grown inside the pores of a support. Hybrid organic–inorganic materials with permselective properties for gas separation and facilitated transport of solutes in liquid media, have been successfully adapted to membrane applications. Potential membrane developments offered by CVD deposition techniques are also illustrated through several examples related to the preparation of purely inorganic and hybrid organic–inorganic membrane materials.     

Synthesis of dye functionalized xerogels via nucleophilic aromatic substitution of fluoro aromatic compounds with aminosilanes

The one-pot synthesis of inorganic–organic hybrid materials via combination of sol–gel process and nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction of various fluoro aromatic compounds and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane has been studied. Both, nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction and sol–gel process can be accomplished in the same reaction vessel due to the sol–gel precursor tetraethoxysilane acting as solvent during the first reaction step. Hydrogen fluoride, which forms as a by-product of the substitution reaction, is trapped by both silane species present and subsequently serves as catalyst during the sol–gel process. The obtained materials can be classified as type II xerogels, because of the covalent linkage between organic chromophor and inorganic silicon network. Fluoro aromatic compounds with different reactivities for nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions containing azo, azomethine, and diphenylamine groups were used in order to (1) demonstrate the synthetic concept and (2) fine-tune the optical properties of the resulting chromophoric xerogels. The final chromophor content within the xerogels was varied by modifying the ratio of organosilicon precursor and tetraethoxysilane. All obtained organic–inorganic hybrid materials were characterized in detail using solid state NMR- and UV/vis spectroscopy. Latter one gave experimental confirmation of the partial hydrolysis of azomethine dyes in the xerogels, while no decomposition of azo or diphenylamine dyes was observed.     

Solid polymer electrolytes. VI. Microstructure of organic–inorganic hybrid networks composed of 3‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and LiClO4 and affected by different synthetic routes

Hybrid organic–inorganic materials derived from 3‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxylsilane were prepared via two different synthetic routes: (1) the HCl‐catalyzed sol–gel approach of silane followed by the lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄)/HCl‐catalyzed opening of epoxide and (2) the simultaneous gelation of tin/LiClO₄‐catalyzed silane/epoxide groups. LiClO₄ catalyzed the epoxide polymerization, and its effects on the structures of these hybrid materials were studied by NMR. The structure of the inorganic side was probed by solid‐state ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy, and the characterizations of the organic side and the chemical processes involved in the different synthetic routes were performed with solid‐state cross‐polarity/magic‐angle‐spinning ¹³C NMR. The different synthetic routes significantly affected the polymerization behaviors of the organic and inorganic sides in the presence of LiClO₄. A larger amount of LiClO₄ promoted the opening of epoxide and led to the formation of longer poly(ethylene oxide) chains via the HCl‐catalyzed sol–gel approach, whereas in the case of the tin‐catalyzed approach, the faster polymerization of the inorganic side hindered the growth of the organic network. The addition of LiClO₄ was proven to be without crystalline salt present in the hybrid networks by wide‐angle X‐ray powder diffraction. Also, the interactions between the ions and hybrid host, examined with Fourier transform infrared and ⁷Li proton‐decoupled magic‐angle‐spinning NMR, further demonstrated that extensive ion aggregation existed in these hybrid materials. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 151–161, 2004     

Electron beam writing of epoxy based sol–gel materials

We report the use of an epoxy based hybrid sol–gel material as negative resist for electron beam lithography (EBL). The matrix has been prepared starting from 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane as specific organic–inorganic precursor and the synthesis has been strictly controlled in order to preserve the epoxy ring and to obtain a proper inorganic cross-linking degree. The film has been exposed to an electron beam, inducing the polymerization of the organic part and generating the film hardening. Preliminary results of a resolution test on the synthesized epoxy based sol–gel material, performed with electron beam lithography, are presented. Structures below 300 nm were achieved. The direct nanopatterning of this hybrid sol–gel system simplify the nanofabrication process and can be exploited in the realization of photonic devices. A demonstration has been carried out doping the hybrid films with commercial Rhodamine 6G and reproducing an already tested laser structure.     

Photopatternable hybrid sol–gel films: A liquid Si NMR investigation of the inorganic network formation

Methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane precursor has been involved in the realization of optical elements in crack free thick films (ranging from 15 to 100 μm), through spatially controlled photopolymerization. First, alkoxysilane functions were partially hydrolyzed and condensed. Then, using a photoinitiator, free radical photopolymerization was proceeded by irradiating the sample under UV or visible light. Since an organic network is formed in the matrix of the primarily formed inorganic network, understanding the formation of the silicate backbone was of first importance to ensure the creation of crack free thick films through efficient polymerization.

Liquid ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the inorganic network formation. Material preparation required evaporation of the volatile solvents released by the sol–gel process and limitation of the condensation degree. Both conditions were achieved by a drying process at room temperature. The structure and the composition of the dried sols were investigated and compared to non-dried sols. NMR peak fitting pointed out to the presence of a large variety of cyclic and linear oligomers in the sol. The structure of the dried sol appeared to depend both on the aging time and on the storage temperature. All these results have to be taken into account when the condensation degree has to be limited for specific optical applications.     

Organic–inorganic hybrid networks by the sol–gel process and subsequent photopolymerization

Organic–inorganic hybrid materials were prepared by a convenient two‐step curing procedure based on sol–gel condensation and subsequent photopolymerization. Novel bismethacrylate‐based hybrid monomers with pendant, condensable alkoxysilane groups were prepared by Michael addition and possessed number‐average molecular weights between 580 and 1600 g/mol. The formation of inorganic networks by sol–gel condensation of the alkoxysilane groups in the presence of aqueous methacrylic acid was monitored with rheological measurements. The condensation conversion was monitored with solid‐state ²⁹Si cross‐polarization/magic‐angle spinning NMR spectroscopy. Subsequent photopolymerization led to organic–inorganic hybrid networks and low volume shrinkage, ranging from 4.2 to 8.3%, depending on the molecular weight of the hybrid monomer applied. Highly filled composite materials with glass filler fractions greater than 75% showed attractive mechanical properties with Young's moduli of 2700–6200 MPa. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 4274–4282, 2001     

Spectroscopic study of TMOS–TMSM–MMA gels: Previously identification of the networks inside the hybrid material

A 3-(trimethoxy-silyl)propyl methacrylate (TMSM)–methylmethacrylate (MMA)–tetramethyl-orthosilicate (TMOS) hybrid glass, has been prepared using a sol–gel process. In order to study the influence of each of the inorganic matrices, the gels obtained from TMOS and TMSM have been studied separately, the hybrid compound, they have been investigated using Raman spectroscopic, FT-IR and NMR techniques. The networks formed in both TMOS and TMSM gels have been identified. Upon condensation of TMOS a tridimensional array including defect was formed, that results in a certain discontinuity of the material. Nevertheless, the characteristics of this structure have that of molten quartz (glassy silica). By contrast, room temperature condensation of TMSM gave rise to several structurally different species in suspension in the gel. The species have been identified. The insertion of TMSM in an organic network modified its degree of periodicity. The integration of TMOS into a silica network occurred through the formation of rings which link together various silica blocks originated from TMOS. Interpretation of Raman diffusion data shows that the glass still contains non-condensed silanol groups and that low molecular weight cyclic, caged polysilsesquioxanes are formed from condensed TMSM. No organic–inorganic phase separation has been observed. The organic part of the glass has been investigated by Raman Spectroscopy from a microscopic point of view. It has helped understand the competition between condensation and polymerization, and it has been shown that polymerization was not fully completed. This has been confirmed by DSC. Raman spectra have also shown that the inorganic network was mainly three-dimensional. NMR studies confirmed that condensation occurred several times on the active SiO bonds.     

Acetic Anhydride as an Oxygen Donor in the Non-Hydrolytic Sol–Gel Synthesis of Mesoporous TiO2 with High Electrochemical Lithium Storage Performances

An original, halide-free non-hydrolytic sol–gel route to mesoporous anatase TiO₂ with hierarchical porosity and high specific surface area is reported. This route is based on the reaction at 200 °C of titanium(IV) isopropoxide with acetic anhydride, in the absence of a catalyst or solvent. NMR spectroscopic studies indicate that this method provides an efficient, truly non-hydrolytic and aprotic route to TiO₂. Formation of the oxide involves successive acetoxylation and condensation reactions, both with ester elimination. The resulting TiO₂ materials were nanocrystalline, even before calcination. Small (about 10 nm) anatase nanocrystals spontaneously aggregated to form mesoporous micron-sized particles with high specific surface area (240 m² g⁻¹ before calcination). Evaluation of the lithium storage performances shows a high reversible specific capacity, particularly for the non-calcined sample with the highest specific surface area favouring pseudo-capacitive storage: 253 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C and 218 mAh g⁻¹ at 1 C (C=336 mA g⁻¹). This sample also shows good cyclability (92 % retention after 200 cycles at 336 mA g⁻¹) with a high coulombic efficiency (99.8 %). Synthesis in the presence of a solvent (toluene or squalane) offers the possibility to tune the morphology and texture of the TiO₂ nanomaterials.     

Template synthesis of hydrogel composite hollow spheres against polymeric hollow latex

Hierarchically structured hydrogel hollow spheres with functional hydrogels located at desired sites are expected to have new properties. We have developed a facile swelling polymerization route using a polymer hollow sphere as template to synthesize hierarchically structured hydrogel hollow spheres. It is significant to pre-swell the template shell with good solvents, such as chloroform containing oil-soluble initiators to control interaction, thus, polymerization locus of different water-soluble functional monomers. Some representative hydrogel composite hollow spheres such as poly(N-isopropylarylamide) and poly(acrylic acid) with different morphologies have been synthesized. Hydrogels with functional groups can favorably complex with desired materials; hierarchically structured inorganic or polymer composite hollow spheres are synthesized by a sol–gel process of the inorganic precursor by using different hydrogel composite hollow spheres as templates.     

Ceramics and Nanostructures from Molecular Precursors

The elaboration of solids from the molecular scale by a kinetically controlled methodology is one of the main challenges of molecular chemistry. In the long term, this should permit the design of solids with desired properties. Here, some examples are given which show a few methods that have been used for the preparation of solids from molecular precursors. The one-pot synthesis of rheologically controlled SiC is described. Access to a new kind of ceramic is obtained by the same methodology using molecular precursors. Mixed ceramics with interpenetrating networks are not accessible by the chemical thermodynamic route. The chemistry of hybrid materials obtained from molecular precursors through inorganic polymerization is presented. This class of materials offers wide perspectives because of 1) the large possibilities opened by the organic unit, 2) the kinetic control, which permits any kind of texture for the solid, and 3) the aptitude of these solids to become nanostructured.     

Biomimetic Synthesis of Shaped and Chiral Silica Entities Templated by Organic Objective Materials

Organic molecules with accompanying self‐organization have been a great subject in chemistry, material science and nanotechnology in the past two decades. One of the most important roles of organized organic molecules is the capability of templating complexly structured inorganic materials. The focus of this Minireview is on nanostructured silica with divergent morphologies and/or integrated chirality directed by organic templates of self‐assembled polyamine/polypeptides/block copolymers, chiral organogels, self‐organized chiral amphiphiles and chiral crystalline complexes, etc., by biomimetic silicification and conventional sol–gel reaction. Among them, biosilica (diatoms and sponges)‐inspired biomimetic silicifications are particularly highlighted.     

含对硝基偶氮苯胺生色团的键合型有机/无机复合材料的合成及其二阶非线性光学特性

以γ 缩水甘油氧丙基三甲氧基硅烷 (KH5 6 0 )作中间体 ,用溶胶 凝胶 (Sol Gel)法合成了含对硝基偶氮苯胺 (DO3)生色团的新型键合型有机 /无机复合非线性光学 (NLO)材料 ,在这种有机生色团与无机玻璃键合形成的交联网络结构中 ,无机玻璃的刚性三维结构和优良的高温稳定性能有效抑制NLO生色团的极化松弛 .二次谐波信号 (SHG)测量表明 ,合成的键合型聚合物膜的二阶非线性光学系数 (d33)值达 5 79× 10 -7esu ,NLO稳定性也较好 ;在室温下放置 90天后 ,其d33 值能维持初始值的 93 5 % ;在 10 0℃下放置 30 0min后 ,其d33 值仍能维持初始值的 6 0 %     

Design of Interpenetrated Networks of Mesostructured Hybrid Silica and Nonconductive Poly(vinylidene fluoride)–Cohexafluoropropylene (PVdF–HFP) Polymer for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Applications

Organic–inorganic hybrid membranes of poly(vinylidene fluoride)–cohexafluoropropylene (PVdF–HFP) and mesostructured silica containing sulfonic acid groups were synthesized by using the sol‐gel process. These hybrid membranes were prepared by in situ co‐condensation of tetraethoxysilane and an organically modified silane (ormosil) by a self‐assembly route using organic surfactants as templates for tuning the architecture of the hybrid organosilica component. In this paper, we describe the elaboration and characterization of hybrid membranes all the way from the precursor solution to the evaluation of the fuel cell performances. These hybrid materials were extensively characterized by using NMR and IR spectroscopy, electron microscopy, or impedance spectroscopy so as to determinate their physicochemical and electrochemical properties. Even though the ion‐exchange capacity (IEC) was quite weak, the first fuel cell tests performed with these hybrid membranes show promising results relative to optimized Nafion 112 thanks to great water management of the silica inside the hydrophobic polymer.