Nanostrukturierte organisch-anorganische Hybridmaterialien auf Kieselsäurebasis – Nachweis der Selbstorganisation eines über Sol-Gel-Polymerisation zugänglichen Xerogels

Ordered hybrids from template-free organosilane self-assembly

Despite considerable achievements over the last two decades, nonporous organic-inorganic hybrid materials are mostly amorphous, especially in the absence of solvothermal processes. The organosilane self-assembly approach is one of the few opportunities for creating a regular assembly of organic and inorganic moieties. Additionally, well-established organosilicon chemistry enables the introduction of numerous organic functionalities. The synthesis of periodically ordered hybrids relies on mono-, bis-, or multisilylated organosilane building blocks self-assembling into hybrid mesostructures or superstructures, subsequently cross-linked by siloxane Si-O-Si condensation. The general synthesis procedure is template-free and one-step. However, three concurrent processes underlie the generation of self-organized hybrid networks: thermodynamics of amphiphilic aggregation, dynamic self-assembly, and kinetically controlled sol-gel chemistry. Hence, the set of experimental conditions and the precursor structure are of paramount importance in achieving long-range order. Since the first developments in the mid-1990s, the subject has seen considerable progress leading to many innovative advanced nanomaterials providing promising applications in membranes, pollutant remediation, catalysis, conductive coatings, and optoelectronics. This work reviews, comprehensively, the primary evolution of this expanding field of research.

In situ X-ray measurements to probe a new solid-state polycondensation mechanism for the design of supramolecular organo-bridged silsesquioxanes

A long-range ordered organic/inorganic material is synthesized from a bis-silane, (EtO)(3)Si-(CH(2))(3)-NHCONH-C(6)H(4)-NHCONH-(CH(2))(3)-Si(OEt)(3). This crosslinked sol-gel solid exhibits a supramolecular organization via intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between urea groups (-NHCONH-) and covalent siloxane bonding, triple bond Si-O-Si triple bond. Time-resolved in situ X-ray measurements (coupling small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering techniques) are performed to follow the different steps involved in the synthetic process. A new mechanism based on the crystallization of the hydrolyzed species followed by their polycondensation in solid state is proposed.

Lamellar bridged silsesquioxanes: self-assembly through a combination of hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions

The synthesis of four bis(trialkoxysilylated) organic molecules capable of self-assembly--(EtO)3Si(CH2)3NHCONH-(CH2)n-NHCONH(CH2)3Si(OEt)3 (n = 9-12)--associating urea functional groups and alkylidene chains of variable length is described. These compounds behave as organogelators, forming supramolecular assemblies thanks to the intermolecular hydrogen bonding of urea groups. Whereas fluoride ion-catalysed hydrolysis in ethanol in the presence of a stoichiometric amount of water produced amorphous hybrids, acid-catalysed hydrolysis in an excess of water gave rise to the formation of crystalline lamellar hybrid materials through a self-organisation process. The structural features of these nanostructured organic/inorganic hybrids were analysed by several techniques: attenuated Fourier transformed infrared (ATR-FTIR), solid-state NMR spectroscopy (13C and 29Si), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The reaction conditions, the hydrophobic properties of the long alkylidene chains and the hydrogen-bonding properties of the urea groups are determining factors in the formation of these self-assembled nanostructured hybrid silicas.

Coordination chemistry in the solid: evidence for coordination modes within hybrid materials different from those in solution

Two routes of incorporation of europium(III) salts into cyclam-containing hybrid materials have been explored, to elucidate the coordination mode of EuIII in cyclam-containing hybrid materials in a study of the arrangement of cyclam moieties during the solgel process. They were 1) complexation of europium salts by N-tetrasubstituted 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) derivatives bearing four hydrolysable Si(OEt)3 groups, followed by hydrolysis and polycondensation of these complexes; and 2) hydrolysis and polycondensation of N-tetrasubstituted silylated cyclam derivatives, then incorporation of europium salts directly into the hybrid materials. The coordination mode of europium salts within solids is not the same as in solution. In solution, the complexation of EuIII with cyclam is not possible; it requires cyclam derivatives containing N-chelating substituents such as amido groups in an appropriate geometry. In contrast, the incorporation of EuIII into hybrid materials is always possible, whatever the nature of the arms of the cyclam moieties. Thus, EuIII uptake is one EuIII/two macrocycles with cyclam moieties containing N-alkyl substituents. This constitutes the first example of 4N + 4N lanthanide coordination.