Synthesis of proton conductive inorganic–organic hybrid membranes from organoalkoxysilane and hydroxyalkylphosphonic acid

Proton conductive inorganic–organic hybrid membranes were synthesized from 3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysiane (GPTMS), phenyltriethoxysilane (PhTES) and hydroxyalkylphosphonic acid. Two kinds of hydroxyalkylphosphonic acids, 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDPA) and hydroxyethanephosphonic acid (HEPA), were incorporated into the membranes as functional molecules for proton conduction. FT-IR and Raman studies revealed the presence of phosphonic acid groups in the hybrid membranes. ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR confirmed that a three-dimensional siloxane network was formed in the prepared hybrid membrane by hydrolysis and condensation reactions. DTA-TG analysis showed that these membranes were thermally stable up to 200 °C. The HEDPA-based system was found to have higher proton conductivities than the HEPA-based one. The proton conductivities of the hybrid membranes increased with the phosphonic acid content and temperature up to 130 °C. The conductivities of the HEDPA/GPTMS/PhTES membranes = 1/1.6/0.4 were 1.0 × 10⁻¹ and 4.5 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 100% relative humidity and non-humidified conditions, respectively, at 130 °C.     

Synthesis and properties of organic–inorganic hybrid liquid crystal gels

Organic–inorganic hybrid liquid crystal (LC) gels have been synthesised by the thiol-ene reaction of a multifunctional cyclic siloxane, 1,3,5,7-tetravinyl-1,3,5,7-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (TVMCTS) and alkane dithiols, 1,6-hexanedithiol (HDT) or 1,9-decanedithiol (DDT), in LC matrices, 4-cyano-4?-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) or 4′-n-octyl-4-cyano-biphenyl (8CB). The LC gels were prepared in an isotropic phase at 70°C or mesophases at 25°C using radical initiators. The phase transition temperatures from a mesophase to an isotropic phase of the resulting gels were lower than those of the original LCs. The gels containing 8CB (8CB gels) prepared at 25°C showed two phase transitions: smectic-to-nematic and nematic-to-isotropic transitions. By contrast, the 8CB gels synthesised in the isotropic phase showed only one phase transition from smectic phase directly to isotropic phase. Reaction conversions in the LC gels prepared at 70°C were higher than that in the gels prepared at 25°C. Scanning microscopic light scattering analysis of the LC gels cleared homogeneous small size mesh with a small amount of large defect. Polarisation micrographs of the LC gels showed framed optical textures derived from the LC molecules at room temperature. The LC gels containing more than 90 wt% of LC showed electro-optic response.     

Sedimentation analysis of organic–inorganic hybrid colloids

Hybrid organic–inorganic latex particles are synthesized to combine the beneficial properties of the constituents which thus lead to synergistic improvement in the properties. The properties of hybrid particles are dependent on the successful hybridization process, thus controlling or tuning of such processes by effective characterization is immensely important. Analytical ultracentrifugation provides these characterization possibilities owing to its high statistical capability and ability to characterize multiple parameters. The use of different detection methodologies can help in generating valuable information on the overall size and density distributions of the particles. Apart from that, it is also possible to quantify the presence of any free polymer and inorganic particles in the hybrid latex which would affect the properties of hybrid latexes. By following the densities of the pure and hybrid particles, it is also possible to quantify the amounts of the constituent phases in the hybrid particles. The density gradients generated in preparative ultracentrifugation also provide additional possibilities for the characterization of the hybrid particles which have densities higher than the measurable range in the analytical ultracentrifuge. Evolution of hybrid particles can also be studied as a function of time. It also provides advantage of separation of the various fractions for further characterization.     

Synthesis and characterizations of new negatively charged organic–inorganic hybrid materials: effect of molecular weight of sol–gel precursor

A series of negatively charged hybrid (organic–inorganic) materials were prepared through sol–gel process. The alkoxysilane-containing sol–gel precursors PEO-[Si(OEt)₃]₂SO₃H were obtained by endcapping polyethylene oxide (PEO) of different molecular weights with 2,4-diisocyanate toluene (TDI), followed by a coupling reaction with phenylaminomethyl triethoxysilane (ND-42) and sulfonation afterwards. The negatively charged precursors were then hydrolyzed and condensed to generate hybrid sol–gel materials, which were characterized by IR, TGA, XRD as well as the conventional ion exchange measurements. The results showed that in the hybrid sol–gel precursors PEO-[Si(OEt)₃]₂SO₃H organic PEO component was incorporated with alkoxysilane-containing ND-42 covalently. As the molecular weight of the precursors increased, thermal stability and cation-exchange capacity of the hybrid material decreased. All the hybrid materials were amorphous and those prepared from higher molecular weight precursors were flexible.     

Synthesis and structural reactivity of inorganic–organic hybrid nanocomposites – A review

Chemistry of hybrid nanocomposites depends mainly on their reactivity and structural relationship. This review mainly reports on the processing techniques of inorganic–organic hybrid nanocomposites and their natural reactivity. Herein, the structure, processing methods and properties of nanocomposites with three different types of matrices are discussed in general. The perusal of this review enables the researchers to design a novel and simple route in processing the hybrid nanocomposites.     

Synthesis,characterisation and ion exchange properties of hybrid organic–inorganic composite material: polyacrylamide zirconium (IV) iodosulphosalicylate

ABSTRACT

Contamination of groundwater by heavy metal is one of the most emerging and serious environmental problems. There are so many methods which are available to overcome these problems. Among various available methods, hybrid organic–inorganic ion exchange resin has become more popular due to certain advantages over other available conventional methods; hence, in the present proposed work, we synthesised a hybrid organic–inorganic composite material polyacrylamide zirconium (IV) iodosulphosalicylate by using the sol-gel technique. Synthesised resin was characterised by various methods like Infrared spectroscopy and Thermogravimetric analysis-Differential thermal analysis. Various samples of this ion exchange resin are prepared by changing the condition of synthesis, i.e. concentration of acrylamide to rationalise the ion exchange capacity of the synthesise hybrid organic–inorganic ion exchange resins. A mixture of 0.1 M potassium iodate, 0.1 M sulphosalicylic acid and 0.1 M acrylamide was added dropwise to 0.4 M zirconium oxychloride accompanied by constant stirring for 8 h using magnetic stirrer at 70°C to yield polyacrylamide zirconium (IV) iodosulphosalicylate with maximum ion exchange capacity. Ion exchange capacity of synthesised resin was determined by column method and the maximum ion exchange capacity was found for Pb(II). Determination of k_d values shows that the resin was highly selective for Pb (II).The selectivity for Pb was also evaluated by using certain binary mixture separation such as Ni (II)-Pb(II), Cu(II)-Pb(II), Cd(II)-Pb(II), Sr(II)-Pb(II), Ba(II)-Pb(II),Zn(II)-Pb(II) and Mg(II)-Pb(II).     

Synthesis and characterization of two novel organic–inorganic hybrid solids from Keggin ions and metal coordination complexes

Two new hybrid compounds, [Co(4,4′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₄][(4,4′-bpyH₂]₂[CoW₁₂O₄₀]·8H₂O (1) and [Fe(2,2′-bpy)₃]₃[H₂W₁₂O₄₀]·6H₂O (2), (4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been hydrothermally synthesized. These solids were characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, UV–Vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The hydrogen-bonding interactions in 1 lead to the formation of a three dimensional network consisting of [CoW₁₂O₄₀]⁶⁻ anionic clusters, [Co(4,4′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₄]²⁺ cations and lattice water molecules, while the discrete Keggin ion [H₂W₁₂O₄₀]⁶⁻ in compound 2 is surrounded by 14 [Fe(2,2′-bpy)₃]²⁺ complexes through CH?O interactions (2.24–2.56 Å).     

Synthesis and luminescence behavior of inorganic–organic hybrid materials covalently bound with pyran-containing dyes

A DCM derivative, namely 4-Dicyanomethylene-2-methyl-6-{[4′-(N-hydroxyethyl-N-methyl)amino]styryl}-4H-pyran (DCMH), has been synthesized and covalently incorporated into the inorganic silica network as pendants via a sol–gel process. Molecular structures of the resultants are confirmed by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, DSC, TGA, FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra shows that the emission of DCMH peaked at 625 nm is almost completely quenched in DMF solution with a concentration of 1 × 10⁻⁴ mol/L, however, in hybrid films, the PL intensity enhances obviously with increasing DCMH concentration even at the high loading content of 40 mol%. All the hybrid films exhibit PL emission around 646–650 nm and the peak position reveal little dependence on the concentration of dye, suggesting they can be used as red emissive materials in light-emitting diodes. The relationship between fluorescence lifetime and dye concentration is also investigated by time-resolved PL measurements.     

Responsive microstructures on organic–inorganic hybrid films

Micro-periodic structures exhibiting shape memory have been fabricated on organic–inorganic hybrid films. The microscale structures are obtained by forming wrinkles via buckling of the stiff surface layer. The surface-modified layers are obtained by surface photopolymerization or by oxidation of the hybrid films. The microscale structures are spontaneously formed by the shrinkage of the underlayer via gelation. The surface microstructures on titania- or silica-based films with hydrophilic swellable polymers exhibit a humidity response, i.e., a shape memory effect. This is observed when the surface microstructure disappears and is subsequently recovered with cyclic variation of the surrounding humidity. Micro-rolls are also fabricated by the selective swelling of surface-modified layers.     

Elastic organic–inorganic hybrid aerogels and xerogels

Novel aerogels and xerogels with methylsilsesquioxane (MSQ, CH₃SiO_1.5) networks have been prepared by a modified sol–gel process using surfactant and urea as a phase-separation inhibitor and as an accelerator for the condensation reaction, respectively. Optimized aerogels dried under a supercritical condition not only showed the similar properties as conventional pure silica aerogels such as high transparency and porosity etc, but also demonstrated outstanding mechanical strength against compression; the aerogel drastically shrank upon loading and then recovered when unloaded, which is called a “spring-back” behavior. On ambient pressure drying, the wet gel also exhibited the similar response against compression stress originated from the capillary pressure, and thus xerogels with the comparative structure and properties to those of corresponding aerogels have also been obtained. This unusual mechanical behavior is attributed to the trifunctional flexible networks of MSQ, low silanol concentration which prevents the irreversible shrinkage, and high concentration of a hydrophobic methyl group directly attached to every silicon atom which helps re-expansion after the temporal shrinkage.     

Four inorganic–organic hybrid complexes built from tetravanadate and macrocyclic oxamide

Four inorganic–organic hybrid compounds, [M₂(CuL)₄(V₄O₁₂)]·2H₂O (M?=?Co (1), Mn (2)), [Mn₂(NiL)₄(V₄O₁₂)]·2H₂O (3), and [Zn₂(CuL)₄(V₄O₁₂)]·2CH₃OH·2H₂O (4) (M′L, H₂L?=?2,3-dioxo-5,6,14,15-dibenzo-1,4,8,12-tetraazacyclo-pentadeca-7,13-dien), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV, fluorescence spectra, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveal that both [V₄O₁₂]^4? and M₂V₄ adapt a chair-like configuration in four structures. The cyclovanadate group [V₄O₁₂]^4? is a tetradentate bridging ligand linking two [M(M′L)₂]²⁺ fragments, producing centroantisymmetric heterometallic hexanuclear [M₂M′₄] complexes. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements (2–300?K) of 1 and 2 show weak antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Two organic–inorganic hybrid compounds constructed from 12-tungstovanadate and bipyridine

Two rare 12-tungstovanadate-bipyridine inorganic–organic hybrid compounds, [VW₁₂O₄₀] · 2(4,4′-H₂bipy) · 2H₂O (1) and [VW₁₂O₄₀] · 4(2,2′-Hbipy) (2), have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and IR analysis. In 1, a 2-D supramolecular architecture is formed by hydrogen-bonding between [VW₁₂O₄₀]^4? and bipy. Compound 1 shows good activity for photocatalytic reduction of rhodamine B in a liquid–solid system. The electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of 2-bulk carbon paste electrode modified with 2 were investigated by cyclic voltammetry.     

Structure and surface properties of fluorinated organic–inorganic hybrid films

Fluorinated organic–inorganic hybrid films were prepared by sol–gel process from tridecafluoroctyltriethoxysilane (PFAS), 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). It has been found that the fluorinated hybrid films possessed fluorinated side chains originating from PFAS as top layer, and silica network as bottom layer, which had very low surface energy and could be used as water repellent functional coatings. The outermost layer of the water-repellent film may be fully covered by the perfluoroalkyl side chains as the molar ratio of PFAS/TEOS increases up to about 0.005:1. The addition of BPA can enhance the cross-link density of fluorinated hybrid films, and make more perfluoroalkyl groups enriching at the coating film-air interface to lower the surface free energy. However, the improvement of the cross-link density of fluorinated hybrid films tends to exhibit brittleness and micro-cracks. Consequently, it can be concluded that a small BPA additive content is preferred for the formation of fluorinated hybrid films with a smooth surface and less detectable cracks.     

Synthesis and characterization of two new inorganic–organic hybrid cobalt molybdenum(V) phosphates

Two new inorganic–organic hybrid cobalt phosphomolybdates (Hdien)₂[Co(dien)]₂[Co(dien)(H₂O)]₂[CoMo₁₂O₂₄(HPO₄)₂(H₂PO₄)₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₆]?···?5H₂O (1) and (H₂dien)₂[Co(dien)]₂[Co(H₂O)₂]₂[CoMo₁₂O₂₄(HPO₄)₄(PO₄)₄(OH)₆]?···?7H₂O (2) (dien?=?diethylenetriamine), involving molybdenum in the V oxidation state and covalently bonded transition metal complexes, have been prepared under mild hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, TG analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 exhibits a one-dimensional (1D) chain framework, in which dien molecules adopt two kinds of coordination modes. Compound 2 shows a two-dimensional (2D) layer framework with three types of unusual tunnels. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time [Co(dien)] units are directly incorporated into 1D and 2D skeletons of reduced molybdenum phosphates. The electrochemical properties of the two compounds were studied via the method of bulk-modified carbon paste electrodes. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of compound 2 are reported.     

Biodegradable and biocompatible inorganic–organic hybrid materials. I. Synthesis and characterization

The hydroxyl or vinyl end-groups of linear or three-arm star-shaped poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) chains have been derivatized into triethoxysilane groups reactive in the sol-gel process. New transparent hybrid materials that combine tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and PCL known for biodegradability and biocompatibility have accordingly been prepared. The sol-gel process is, however, limited by the early vitrification of the reactive system. However, thermal posttreatment can overcome these diffusional and/or kinetic limitations as assessed by a set of analytical methods. The thermal stability of PCL is improved by incorporation into the silica network. Conversely, the thermal stability of the ceramer depends on the effective PCL content. The extent of PCL incorporation into the silica network depends on PCL molecular weight, number, and reactivity of the PCL functional groups. IR spectroscopy has shown that hydrogen bonding occurs between the ester groups of PCL and residual OH groups of the silicate component. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 2295–2309, 1997     

Synthesis,structures and electrochemical properties of four organic–inorganic hybrid polyoxometalates constructed from polyoxotungstate clusters and transition metal complexes

Four novel organic–inorganic hybrid compounds [Cu₅ ^I(4,4′-bpy)₃(2,2′-bpy)₄][BW₁₂O₄₀] · H₂O (1), [Ni_0.5(2,2′-bpy)_1.25][Ni(2,2′-bpy)₃][Ni(2,2′-bpy)₂(H₂O)(SiW₁₁^VIW^VO₄₀)] · 0.5H₂O (2), [H₂bpy]₂[Zn(2,2′-bpy)₃]₂[Si₂W₁₈O₆₂] · 1.5H₂O (3) and [Cu^II(2,2′-bpy)₂]₂[SiW₁₂O₄₀] · 2H₂O (4) (2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, electrochemical measurements and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound (1) is a novel [BW₁₂O₄₀]⁵⁻ polyoxoanion bisupported by copper(I) coordination cations with mixed 2,2′-bpy and 4,4′-bpy ligands. Compound (2) is constructed from the [SiW₁₁^VIW^VO₄₀]⁵⁻ polyoxoanions supported by [Ni(2,2′–bpy)₂]²⁺. Compound (3) is composed of a novel [Si₂W₁₈O₆₂]⁸⁻ cluster and [Zn(2,2′–bpy)₃]²⁺ complexes, which held together into a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular network through hydrogen-bonding interactions. Compound (4) shows a 2D layer framework constructed from a bisupporting Keggin polyoxoanion cluster and [Cu(2,2′–bpy)₂]²⁺ coordination polymer fragments, resulting in 3D networks via supramolecular interactions. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Multi-component hybrid inorganic–organic–inorganic particles with various metal oxide outer shells

Non-agglomerated hybrid particles of 200 nm diameter with an outer metal oxide shell were prepared by reacting the COOH groups of poly((S)-N-dicarbazolyl-lysine)-covered silica particles with metal alkoxides, such as titanium, zirconium and aluminum alkoxides, followed by sol–gel processing. With tetraethoxysilane (Si(OEt)₄), the silica particle core was growing rather than forming an external metal oxide shell, as observed for the other tested metal alkoxides.     

Naked eye detection of cadmium using inorganic–organic hybrid mesoporous material

A novel and low-cost optical sensor for the naked eye detection of Cd²⁺in aqueous media based on mesoporous silica containing 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) as a probe molecule anchored by N-trimethoxysilylpropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (TMAC) was prepared. The effects of various factors such as pH, solvent volume, temperature, reaction time, amount of the material, and the presence of various ions were studied in order to optimize operating conditions. The detection was based on the color change of PAR from orange-yellow to purple as a result of complexation with Cd²⁺. The intensity of the Cd-PAR complex varies linearly with the Cd²⁺concentration, from zero to 1.78×10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³. The detection and quantification limits for the method when determining Cd²⁺ were 1.75×10⁻⁸ and 5.77×10⁻⁸ mol dm⁻³, respectively, with a correlation coefficient of 0.99. Good chemical stability of the material was observed for a period of five months. The developed sensor was applied to the analysis of various industrial effluents and tap water samples. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available for this article at