Ion exchange and ion transport properties of sulfonated organically modified silica hydrogels

Sulfonated ormosil hydrogels (~80% water) were prepared using tetramethyl orthosilicate as a silica precursor and 2(4-chlorosulfonylphenyl)ethyltrichlorosilane to provide sulfonate functionality for ion-exchange and ion conductivity. Ruthenium(III) hexamine was used as a redox probe in electrochemical studies performed on porous carbon fibre paper electrodes impregnated with the gel. The gel-modified electrodes extracted Ru(NH₃)₆³⁺ from solutions in 0.1 M CF₃CO₂Na_(aq) with a partition coefficient of ~36, and with ~100% of the sulfonate sites being accessible for ion exchange. The Ru(NH₃)₆^3+/2+ couple exhibited reversible and facile electrochemistry in the gel, with a Ru(NH₃)₆²⁺ diffusion coefficient of 4.9×10^–8 cm² s^–1 determined by chronoamperometry. This is an order of magnitude higher than the mobility of this complex in Nafion. The hydrogel-modified electrodes were stable for days, and could be repeatedly loaded with Ru(NH₃)₆³⁺.Special Issue to celebrate the 70^th birthday of Professor Zbigniew Galus