Silica-graft-polyamidoamine Hybrid Materials: Effect of Constraints on the Polymer Mobility

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials with excellent heavy metal ions chelating properties are synthesized by covalent bonding of multifunctional polymers of polyamidoamine (PAA) type onto silica. Two series of polyamidoamine-silica hybrid materials differing in the PAA chemical structure are prepared and their thermal properties are investigated. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is used to study the effects of chain immobilization and ion chelation on the glass-transition temperature (T_g) of the polymers. The T_g of PAA-hybrid materials is elevated with respect to ungrafted PAAs, but when the linear and the corresponding hybrid PAAs are in the complex form with metal ions such as Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺, the materials arrive to the decomposition temperature and no T_g is detected. To highlight the effect of metal ion on the molecular mobility of these systems, an oligomeric plasticizer is added. The behaviour in the T_g region is analyzed and discussed in term of Tool-Narayanaswamy-Moynihan (TNM) model. In particular the apparent activation energy (Δh*) is used to discuss overall segmental co-operativity in order to better understand the effect of complex formation on structural mobility.     

Silica Polyamine Composites: New Supramolecular Materials for Cation and Anion Recovery and Remediation

Summary: The surface coverage of amorphous silica gels used in the synthesis of silica polyamine composites has been investigated by ²⁹Si NMR. By diluting the polyamine anchor silane, chloropropyl trichlorosilane, with methyl trichlorosilane it was found that surface coverage could be markedly improved for a range of amine polymers after grafting to the silica surface. The commensurate decrease in the number of anchor points and increase in the number of free amines results in an increase in metal capacity and/or an improvement in capture kinetics. Solid state CPMAS-¹³C NMR has been employed to investigate the structure and metal ion binding of a series of these composite materials. It is reported that the highly branched polymer, poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) exhibits much broader ¹³C NMR resonances than the linear polymers poly(allylamine) (PAA) and poly(vinylamine) (PVA). These results are understood in terms of the low energy conformations calculated from molecular modeling studies. Three new applications of the technology are also presented: 1) separation of lanthanides as a group from ferric ion and all other divalent ions; 2) a multi step process for recovering and concentrating the valuable metals in acid mine drainage; 3) a process for removing low level arsenic and selenium in the presence of sulfate using immobilized cations on the composite materials.     

Non‐surfactant template‐directed synthesis of SiO2‐polyimide hybrid self‐standing films with ordered mesoporous structure

The silica‐PI hybrid self‐standing films with ordered mesoporous structure have been prepared by using dibenzoyl‐L ‐tartaric acid (L ‐DBTA) as non‐surfactant template under mild sol–gel route. Polyimide matrix was obtained from polyamic acid (PAA) via thermal imidization process and the template was removed in this process. The PI‐based hybrid film with 20 wt% SiO₂ obtained from DBTA presented the ordered mesoporous channels with average pore size of about 2.0 nm and BET surface area of 1167 m²/g. FTIR and SEM studies indicated that the hydrogen bond interaction between the carboxylic groups of DBTA and benzamide bonds of PAA made the PAA possibly participate in the assembly process of the aggregates of the non‐surfactant template molecules. The mechanical, thermal and some physical properties of these hybrid films materials were also characterized. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polyimide–silica hybrid coatings: morphological,mechanical, and thermal investigations

In this study, polyimide–silica (PI–silica) based hybrid coating compositions were prepared from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), γ‐glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (GOTMS), and polyamic acid (PAA) via a combination of sol–gel and thermal imidization techniques. PAA was synthesized from 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and 3,3'‐Diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) in N‐Methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP). The silica content in the hybrid coatings was varied from 0 to 20 wt%. The structural characterization of the hybrid coatings was performed using FTIR and ²⁹Si‐NMR spectroscopies. Results from both pendulum hardness and micro indentation test show that the hardness of hybrid coatings improves with the increase in silica content. The tensile tests also demonstrated that the mechanical properties at low silica content are rather striking. Their surface morphologies were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM studies revealed that inorganic particles were distributed homogenously through the PI matrix. It was also found that, incorporation of the silica domains increased the thermal stability of the hybrid coatings. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polybenzoxazine–silica (PBZ–SiO2) hybrid nanocomposites through in situ sol–gel method

New type of Polybenzoxazine–silica (PBZ–SiO₂) hybrid nanocomposites was prepared through in situ sol–gel method. Benzoxazine was synthesized using bisphenol-A, trans-4-aminocyclohexanol hydrochloride and formaldehyde solution through Mannich condensation reaction and was characterized by FT-IR, ¹HNMR and ¹³CNMR spectroscopy. The methodology adopted in the present study involves to formation of hydrogen bond interaction between the benzoxazine monomer and the silica matrix, followed by the ring opening polymerization of benzoxazine monomer through thermal curing to obtain a red brown transparent PBZ–SiO₂ hybrid. The formation of hybrid nanocomposites was confirmed by FT-IR. Thermal and morphological properties of the hybrid materials were investigated by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The PBZ–SiO₂ hybrids show improved thermal properties and glass transition (Tg) temperature. The nitrogen porosimetry study was carried out to confirm the nanometer level integration of polybenzoxazine in the PBZ–SiO₂ hybrid nanocomposites.     

Synthesis of New Functional Silicon-Based Condensation Polymers

A new class of photosensitive aromatic polymers containing disilane units was successfully synthesized from new disilane-based monomers such as 1,2-bis(diethylamino)tetramethyldisilane and 1,2-bis(p-aminophenyl)tetrarnethyldisilane. The disilane-contain-ing aramids and polyimides had glass transition temperatures above 190°C, and all the polymers were thermally stable up to 300°C in air. The polymers were photosensitive; their molecular weight decreased rapidly upon ultraviolet light irradiation. The photosensitive polymers, especially the soluble polyimides having diphenyl sulfone units, were potential candidates for positive working photoresist materials. New highly branched polysiloxane star-burst polymers were synthesized by a siloxane synthetic reaction starting from tris[(phenyldimethylsiloxy)dimethylsiloxy]methylsilane and bis[(phenyldimethylsiloxy)methylsiloxy]dimethylsilanol as the initial core (G0-Ph) and the building block, respectively. Thus, the first generation polymer G1-Ph, second generation polymer G2-Ph, and third generation polymer G3-Ph had 6, 12, and 24 phenylsilyl groups in their exterior layers. The formation of the siloxane-based starburst polymers were confirmed by means of ¹H-, ¹³C-, and ²⁹Si-NMR spectroscopy. These polysiloxane starburst polymers were suggested to have spherical structure. Some functionalized starburst polymers were further synthesized by the introduction of functional groups in their exterior layers. New silica-polyimide hybrid materials were prepared by the sol-gel process through the hydrolysis-condensation reactions of tetraethoxysilane in the presence of the polyamic acid (polyimide precursor) in dimethylacetamide, followed by heating at 270°C. The hybrid system having silica content up to 70 wt% had good quality films. The spherical silica particles were dispersed homogeneously in the polyimide matrix. With increasing silica content, the glass transition temperature and decomposition temperature, as well as the modulus of the hybrid films, increased, while the coefficient of thermal expansion decreased.     

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Star Polymers Having Nanosized Silica Cores

Summary: Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) star polymers having a nanosized silica particle as a core were prepared by reacting silica nanoparticles with monoglycidylether‐terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane). This star polymer was a hybrid material having an extremely high content of silica. The PDMS arms formed an organic domain to separate the silica particles and to prevent particle aggregation. The star polymers exhibited good thermal stability and high activation energy of their degradation reaction, in comparison to the linear PDMS polymer and the PDMS/silica blending materials. This star polymer can be used as a flame retardant for polymeric materials and this preparation technique can be applied to prepare other star polymers.

An SEM image of poly(dimethylsiloxane) star polymers having nanosized silica particles as a core.     

Azobenzene coupled chromogenic receptors for the selective detection of copper(II) and its application as a chemosensor kit

Azobenzene-based receptors 1-4 as colorimetric sensing materials were synthesized and their sensing properties were examined. In solution, the proposed sensing materials give rise to a large cation-induced hypochromic shift for Cu²⁺ resulting in a change from red to pale-yellow, whereas no significant color change was observed upon addition of other selected metal ions. The use of the silica gel plate modified with immobilization of receptor 4 to detect Cu²⁺ was also reported.     

Synthesis and Properties of Hyperbranched Polyimides Combined with Silica

Summary: The novel hyperbranched polyimide - silica hybrid materials containing theoretically 16 wt% of an inorganic phase were prepared via a sol-gel process. An amine terminated polyimide precursor (hyperbranched polyamic acid) was prepared from commercially available monomers 4,4′,4″-triaminotriphenylmethane and 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride in molar ratio 1:1. Tetramethoxysilane and/or 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (also used as a coupling agent) were used as silica precursors. During thermal exposition the polyimide precursor was transformed to hyperbranched polyimide and hydrolyzed alkoxy groups reacted mutually to form silica. The final products were self-standing films, whose structure was characterized by using IR and ¹³C and ²⁹Si solid state NMR spectroscopy. The influence of the amount of silica and/or coupling agent on their structure and thermal properties was described.     

Synthesis of Some Polymer‐Metal Complexes and Elucidation of their Structures

In this study, the nine coordination polymers of Fe(III), Co(II) and Ni(II) salts have been synthesized using polyacrylamide (PAA), polt(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and their structures were characterized by magnetic and conductivity measurements, ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐VIS), FTIR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The structures of Fe(III) complexes in the all coordination polymers were found as tetrahedral. The structures of PAA‐Co(II) coordination polymer was determined as octahedral geometry whereas PEG‐Co(II) and PVA‐Co(II) complexes showed as tetrahedral structure. PAA‐Ni(II) and PEG‐Ni(II) complexes have octahedral geometry, whereas PVA‐Ni(II) has a square planar structure. Besides, the stress‐strain experiments of PVA‐metal coordination polymers obtained rubber‐like structure were carried out and the value of breaking‐strain of PVA‐Ni(II) complex was found to be about 17% of vulcanized natural rubber. The conductivities of the resulting polymer‐metal complexes were measured by four‐probe technique and were found in the range 10^?5?10^?6 Scm^?1. Thus, it was suggested that they can be used in the field potential application of conducting polymers. TGA results revealed that among the complexes PEG‐Fe(III) and PVA‐Fe(III) complexes have the highest thermally stable.     

Terbium/zinc luminescent hybrid siloxane-oxide materials bridged by novel ureasils linkages

Covalently bonded silicate/modified aromatic acid luminescent composites have been prepared from 3-(triethoxysilyl)-propyl isocyanate (TEPIC) grafted salicylic acid and central metal ions (Tb, Zn). The existence of covalent linkages between TEPIC and silica matrices were realized by after hydrolysis and polycondensation processes of ethoxysilyl groups. Luminescence spectra were utilized to characterize the photophysical properties of the obtained hybrid material and the above spectroscopic data reveal that the triplet energy of modified salicylic acid in this favorable hybrid system matches with the emissive energy level of Tb³⁺. In addition, Zn containing hybrids exhibit a broad band around 420 nm which may be beneficial to fabricate blue emission materials.     

金属有机骨架及其复合材料在分离领域中的应用进展

金属有机骨架（MOFs）是一类由无机金属离子与有机配体自组装形成的新型有机-无机杂化多孔材料,因具有比表面积超高、结构多样、热稳定性良好、孔道尺寸和性质可调等优势,在分离领域表现出重要的应用价值。然而,采用传统方法制备的MOFs多为粒径在微米或亚微米尺度的晶体,且颗粒形貌不规则,因此限制了MOFs在样品前处理和色谱固定相等领域的应用和发展。构建基于MOFs的复合材料是弥补MOFs应用缺陷的一项有效措施,有望在保留MOFs优越的分离特性的同时,引入基体材料的特定性能。该文简要综述了近年来MOFs及其复合材料在吸附、样品前处理和色谱固定相等分离领域中的应用进展,并对MOFs在分离科学中的应用前景做出展望。     

Lanthanide/zinc centered photoactive hybrids with functional sulfonamide linkage: Coordination bonding assembly,characterization and photophysical properties

In this paper, two novel kinds of organic–inorganic monomer, SUA-APEMS and SUA-APS, have been achieved by modifying 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SUA) with 3-aminopropyl-methyl-diethoxylsilane (APEMS) and 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APS). These two organic–inorganic monomers were used as multi-functional bridged components, which can coordinate to metal ions (Tb³⁺/Eu³⁺/Zn²⁺) with carbonyl groups, strongly absorb ultraviolet and effectively transfer energy to metal ions through their triplet excited state, as well as involve in the sol–gel process with inorganic host precursor tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), resulting two series of molecular hybrid materials (named as SUA-APEMS/APS-RE) with double chemical bond (RE(Zn)–O coordination bond and Si–O covalent bond). The effective intra-molecular energy transfer process gives rise to the characteristic emission of metal ions and the chemical bond make the hybrid materials owning better properties.     

Linear Copper Complex Arrays as Versatile Molecular Strings: Syntheses,Structures, Luminescence,and Magnetism

The defined linear arrangement of metal atoms in discrete coordination complexes or polymers is still one of the most intriguing challenges in synthetic chemistry. These chain arrangements are of fundamental importance, because of their potential applications as molecular wires and single molecule magnets (SMM) in microelectronic devices on a molecular scale. Oligonuclear Group 11 metal complexes with suitable bridging ligands, specifically those that are based on copper as the first choice of a cheap precursor coinage metal, are of particular interest in this regard. This is due to the superior luminescence properties of these linear clusters that often show d¹⁰⋅⋅⋅d¹⁰ interactions in their molecular structures. The combination of Cu^I with heavier coinage metal ions results in tunable emissive arrays that are also stimuli-responsive. Thus, both linear multinuclear Cu^I and linear heteropolymetallic Cu^I/Ag^I as well as Cu^I/Au^I clusters are excellent candidates for applications in molecular/organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). Alternatively, paramagnetic multinuclear cupric arrays are prominent as potential molecular wires with enhanced magnetic properties through multiple coupled d⁹ centers. This Review covers the whole range of linear multinuclear assemblies of cuprous and cupric ions in complexes and coordination polymers, their syntheses, photophysical behavior, and magnetic properties. Moreover, recent advances in the rapidly progressing field of hetero-Cu^I/Ag^I and Cu^I/Au^I molecular strings are also discussed.     

The Effect of Nanoscaled Metal Oxide Sols on the Structure and Properties of Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane Derived Sols and Gels

Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTS) is frequently used as precursor for the preparation of sol-gel derived nanoscaled hybrid polymers. The influence of nanoscaled metal oxide sols of silica, boehmite, zirconia and ceria on reactions of GPTS in ethanolic hydrolysates and in corresponding gels (epoxide ring-opening, condensation degree) was examined by liquid- and solid-state ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR with regard to a better correlation between structure and material properties. Generally, a higher condensation degree of RSi(O_0.5)₃ units of GPTS is found after addition of metal oxide sols compared to GPTS without additives. The metal oxide sols (10 mole% series) cause an epoxide ring-opening up to 20% in GPTS hydrolysates after 24 h. A nearly complete ring opening was found in the boehmite and silica containing hybrid gels whereas gels containing ceria and other types of silica only show a low degree of ring-opening. The results show an accelerated ring-opening with increasing content of AlO/OH-species in silica sols. ¹³C NMR studies reveal that the epoxide ring-opening does not completely lead to polyether structures but to considerable amounts (up to 40%) of ethylether groups which can influence the material properties (hardness).     

A Chemical Strategy for the Relaxivity Enhancement of GdIII Chelates Anchored on Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

Functionalised MCM‐41 mesoporous silica nanoparticles were used as carriers of Gd^III complexes for the development of nanosized magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. Three Gd^III complexes based on the 1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane scaffold (DOTA; monoamide‐, DOTA‐ and DO3A‐like complexes) with distinct structural and magnetic properties were anchored on the silica nanoparticles functionalised with NH₂ groups. The interaction between Gd^III chelates and surface functional groups markedly influenced the relaxometric properties of the hybrid materials, and were deeply modified passing from ionic ? NH₃⁺ to neutral amides. A complete study of the structural, textural and surface properties together with a full ¹H relaxometric characterisation of these hybrid materials before and after surface modification was carried out. Particularly for the anionic complex 2 attached to MCM‐41, an impressive increase in relaxivity (r_1p) was observed (from 20.3 to 37.8 mM ^?1 s^?1, 86.2 % enhancement at 20 MHz and 310 K), mainly due to a threefold faster water exchange rate after acetylation of the surface ? NH₃⁺ ions. This high r_1p value, coupled with the large molar amount of grafted 2 onto the silica nanoparticles gives rise to a value of relaxivity per particle of 29 500 mM ^?1 s^?1, which possibly allows it to be used in molecular imaging procedures. Smaller changes were observed for the hybrid materials based on neutral 1 and 3 complexes. In fact, whereas 1 shows a weak interaction with the surface and acetylation induced only some decrease of the local rotation, complex 3 appears to be involved in a strong interaction with surface silanols. This results in the displacement of a coordinated water molecule and in a decrease of the accessibility of the solvent to the metal centre, which is unaffected by the modification of ammonium ions to neutral amides.     

Heavy metal ions removal by nano-sized spherical polymer brushes

Nano-sized spherical polymer brushes(SPBs) consisting of both a polystyrene(PS) core and a brush shell of poly(acrylic acid)(PAA), poly(N-acrylcysteamine)(PSH), or poly(N-acrylcysteamine-co-acrylic acid)(P(SH-co-AA)), were prepared by photo-emulsion polymerization. The core-shell structure was observed by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Due to the strengthened Donnan effect, the PAA brush can adsorb heavy metal ions. Effects of the contact time, thickness of PAA brush and pH value on the adsorption results were investigated. Due to the coordination between the mercapto groups and heavy metal ions as well as the electrostatic interactions, SPBs with mercapto groups are capable to remove heavy metal ions selectively from aqueous solutions. The order of adsorption capacity of the heavy metal ions by SPBs with mercapto groups is: Hg2+ ≈ Au3+ Pb2+ Cu2+ Ni2+. The adsorbed heavy metal ions can be eluted from SPB by aqueous HCl solution, and the SPBs can be recovered. After three regenerations the recovered SPBs still maintain their adsorption capacity.     

Hydrophobically modified poly (acrylic acid) using calix[4]arene derivative. Ionophoric properties and extraction abilities toward alkali metal cations

p‐t‐Butyl calix[4]arene diol (distal cone) (1) was grafted with poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) to obtain hydrophobically modified PAA (PAA‐C) bearing calixarene moieties. The grafting method includes the direct esterification reaction of PAA with calixarene diol 1 which was carried out in a system of tosyl chloride (TsCl), pyridine (Py), and N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). The grafting yield was studied using different molar ratios of PAA to calix[4]arene diol 1, temperature, and reaction time. The chemical composition of the PAA‐C was studied by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Also, the morphology of PAA‐C was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. The PAA‐C had different solubility and thermal properties. The extraction ability measurements of modified PAA toward alkali metal cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺) and Ag⁺ showed a remarkable efficiency and selectivity of PAA‐C toward Na⁺. The main goal of this work was to design hydrophobically modified PAA with binding ability that is suitable for ion selective membranes and chemical sensor devices such as ion‐specific electrodes, semipermeable membranes, and quartz microbalances. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Silica/lignosulfonate hybrid materials: Preparation and characterization

The research reported here concerns the synthesis, characterization and potential applications of silica/lignosulfonate hybrid materials. Three types of silica were used (Aerosil®200, Syloid®244 and hydrated silica), along with magnesium lignosulfonate. The effectiveness of the hybrid material synthesis methodology was confirmed indirectly, using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental and colorimetric analysis. Dispersive-morphological analysis indicates that the products with the best properties were obtained using 10 parts by weight of magnesium lignosulfonate per 100 parts of Syloid®244 silica. The relatively high thermal stability recorded for the majority of the synthesized products indicates the potential use of this kind of a material as a polymer filler. Results indicating the high electrokinetic stability of the materials are also of great importance. Additionally, the very good porous structure properties indicate the potential use of silica/lignosulfonate systems as biosorbents of hazardous metal ions and harmful organic compounds.      

Dialing in color with rare earth metals: facile photoluminescent production of true white light

Combining polymeric architectures with metal ions produces hybrid materials with extremely rich properties. We are studying polymers containing terpyridine in the side chain. In this report, the chelation of lanthanide ions, Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, and Dy³⁺ resulted in metal functionalized copolymers that exhibited excellent emission of red, green, and blue light respectively. The polymer architecture easily allows incorporation of all three colors into the material, which leads to the facile production of true white light in solution or the solid state. Quantum efficiencies for the polymer systems were determined. The white light system had an efficiency of 5%. Various combinations of colors were achieved from the basic RBG colors by simply varying the metal ion ratios in the polymer backbone. This easy tuning of the color makes these systems attractive. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.