Mononuclear-dinuclear equilibrium of grafted copper complexes confined in the nanochannels of MCM-41 silica

Highly enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity by modifying the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles with a high proportion of single Cu atoms

Single-atom photocatalysts have received a lot of attention owing to their high catalytic activity.

Structural Water Molecules Confined in Soft and Hard Nanocavities as Bright Color Emitters

Molecules confined in the nanocavity and nanointerface exhibit rich, unique physicochemical properties, e.g., the chromophore in the β-barrel can of green fluorescent protein (GFP) exhibits tunable bright colors. However, the physical origin of their photoluminescence (PL) emission remains elusive. To mimic the microenvironment of the GFP protein scaffold at the molecule level, two groups of nanocavities were created by molecule self-assembly using organic chromophores and by organic functionalization of mesoporous silica, respectively. We provide strong evidence that structural water molecules confined in these nanocavities are color emitters with a universal formula of {X⁺·(OH^-·H₂O)·(H₂O) _n-1}, in which X is hydrated protons (H₃O⁺) or protonated amino (NH₃ ⁺) groups as an anchoring point, and that the efficiency of PL is strongly dependent on the stability of the main emitter centers of the structural hydrated hydroxide complex (OH^-·H₂O), which is a key intermediate to mediate electron transfer dominated by proton transfer at confined nanospace. Further controlled experiments and combined characterizations by time-resolved steady-state and ultrafast transient optical spectroscopy unveil an unusual multichannel radiative and/or nonradiative mechanism dominated by quantum transient states with a distinctive character of topological excitation. The finding of this work underscores the pivotal role of structurally bound H₂O in regulating the PL efficiency of aggregation-induced emission luminogens and GFP.

Caged structural water molecules emit tunable brighter colors by topological excitation

Intrinsically, free water molecules are a colourless liquid. If it is colourful, why and how does it emit the bright colours? We provided direct evidence that when water was trapped into the sub-nanospace of zeolites, the structural water molecules (SWs) exhibited strong tunable photoluminescence (PL) emissions from blue to red colours with unprecedented ultra-long lifetimes up to the second scale at liquid nitrogen temperature. Further controlled experiments and combined characterizations by time-resolved steady-state and ultra-fast femtosecond (fs) transient optical spectroscopy showed that the singly adsorbed hydrated hydroxide complex {OH^-·H₂O} as SWs in the confined nanocavity is the true emitter centre, whose PL efficiency strongly depends on the type and stability of the SWs, which is dominated by H-bond interactions, such as the solvent effect, pH value and operating temperature. The emission of SWs exhibits the characteristic of topological excitations (TAs) due to the many-body quantum electron correlations in confined nanocavities, which differs from the local excitation of organic chromophores. Our model not only elucidates the origin of the PL of metal nanoclusters (NCs), but also provides a completely new insight to understand the nature of heterogeneous catalysis and interface bonding (or state) at the molecule level, beyond the metal-centred d band theory.

Comprehensive understanding of the synthesis and formation mechanism of dendritic mesoporous silica nanospheres

The interest in the design and controlled fabrication of dendritic mesoporous silica nanospheres (DMSNs) emanates from their widespread application in drug-delivery carriers, catalysis and nanodevices owing to their unique open three-dimensional dendritic superstructures with large pore channels and highly accessible internal surface areas. A variety of synthesis strategies have been reported, but there is no basic consensus on the elucidation of the pore structure and the underlying formation mechanism of DMSNs. Although all the DMSNs show a certain degree of similarity in structure, do they follow the same synthesis mechanism? What are the exact pore structures of DMSNs? How did the bimodal pore size distributions kinetically evolve in the self-assembly? Can the relative fractions of small mesopores and dendritic large pores be precisely adjusted? In this review, by carefully analysing the structures and deeply understanding the formation mechanism of each reported DMSN and coupling this with our research results on this topic, we conclude that all the DMSNs indeed have the same mesostructures and follow the same dynamic self-assembly mechanism using microemulsion droplets as super templates in the early reaction stage, even without the oil phase.

Origin of the Photoluminescence of Metal Nanoclusters: From Metal-Centered Emission to Ligand-Centered Emission

Recently, metal nanoclusters (MNCs) emerged as a new class of luminescent materials and have attracted tremendous interest in the area of luminescence-related applications due to their excellent luminous properties (good photostability, large Stokes shift) and inherent good biocompatibility. However, the origin of photoluminescence (PL) of MNCs is still not fully understood, which has limited their practical application. In this mini-review, focusing on the origin of the photoemission emission of MNCs, we simply review the evolution of luminescent mechanism models of MNCs, from the pure metal-centered quantum confinement mechanics to ligand-centered p band intermediate state (PBIS) model via a transitional ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT or LMMCT) mechanism as a compromise model.

P band intermediate state (PBIS) tailors photoluminescence emission at confined nanoscale interface

The availability of a range of excited states has endowed low dimensional quantum nanostructures with interesting luminescence properties. However, the origin of photoluminescence emission is still not fully understood, which has limited its practical application. Here we judiciously manipulate the delicate surface ligand interactions at the nanoscale interface of a single metal nanocluster, the superlattice, and mesoporous materials. The resulting interplay of various noncovalent interactions leads to a precise modulation of emission colors and quantum yield. A new p-band state, resulting from the strong overlapping of p orbitals of the heteroatoms (O, N, and S) bearing on the targeting ligands though space interactions, is identified as a dark state to activate the triplet state of the surface aggregated chromophores. The UV-Visible spectra calculated by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) are in quantitative agreement with the experimental adsorption spectra. The energy level of the p-band center is very sensitive to the local proximity ligand chromophores at heterogeneous interfaces.

Interfacial charge shielding directs the synthesis of dendritic mesoporous silica nanospheres by a dual-templating approach

A unique ethylene oxide (EO) layer coated core–shell structured spherical micelle was used as a building unit to synthesize dendritic mesoporous silica nanospheres (DMSNs) by a dual-templating approach.

One-pot co-condensation strategy for dendritic mesoporous organosilica nanospheres with fine size and morphology control

A one-pot co-condensation strategy was developed for dendritic mesoporous organosilica nanospheres with fine size and morphology control.

Microwave-assisted one-pot functionalization of metal–organic framework MIL-53(Al)-NH2 with copper(ii) complexes and its application in olefin oxidation

A simple and rapid functionalization of MOF via microwave-assisted one-pot synthesis afforded a Cu(ii)-Schiff-base-MOF as an efficient catalyst for olefin oxidation.

One-Step Selective Hydroxylation of Benzene to Phenol with Hydrogen Peroxide Catalysed by Copper Complexes Incorporated into Mesoporous Silica-Alumina

Benzene was hydroxylated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the presence of catalytic amounts of copper complexes in acetone to yield phenol at 298 K. At higher temperature, phenol was further hydroxylated with H2O2 by catalysis of copper complexes to yield p-benzoquinone. The kinetic study revealed that the rate was proportional to concentrations of benzene and H2O2, but to the square root of concentration of a copper(II) complex ([Cu(tmpa)]2+: tmpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine). The addition of a spin trapping reagent resulted in formation of a spin adduct of hydroperoxyl radical (HO2•), as observed by EPR spectroscopy, inhibiting phenol formation. HO2• produced by the reaction of [Cu(tmpa)]2+ with H2O2 acts as a chain carrier for the radical chain reactions for formation of phenol. When [Cu(tmpa)]2+ was incorporated into mesoporous silica-alumina (Al-MCM-41) by a cation exchange reaction, the selectivity to production of phenol was much enhanced by prevention of hydroxylation of phenol, which was not adsorbed to Al-MCM-41. The high durability with turnover number of 4320 for the hydroxylation of benzene to phenol with H2O2 was achieved using [Cu(tmpa)]2+ incorporated into Al-MCM-41 as an efficient and selective catalyst.

Surface molecular engineering in the confined space of templated porous silica

Recent developments in molecular surface engineering inside the confined space of porous materials are surveyed including a new nomenclature proposal.

Selective C-C coupling reaction of dimethylphenol to tetramethyldiphenoquinone using molecular oxygen catalyzed by Cu complexes immobilized in nanospaces of structurally-ordered materials

Two high-performance Cu catalysts were successfully developed by immobilization of Cu ions in the nanospaces of poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimer and magadiite for the selective C–C coupling of 2,6-dimethylphenol (DMP) to 3,3',5,5'-tetramethyldiphenoquinone (DPQ) with O₂ as a green oxidant. The PPI dendrimer encapsulated Cu ions in the internal nanovoids to form adjacent Cu species, which exhibited significantly high catalytic activity for the regioselective coupling reaction of DMP compared to previously reported enzyme and metal complex catalysts. The magadiite-immobilized Cu complex acted as a selective heterogeneous catalyst for the oxidative C–C coupling of DMP to DPQ. This heterogeneous catalyst was recoverable from the reaction mixture by simple filtration, reusable without loss of efficiency, and applicable to a continuous flow reactor system. Detailed characterization using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), electronic spin resonance (ESR), and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopies and the reaction mechanism investigation revealed that the high catalytic performances of these Cu catalysts were ascribed to the adjacent Cu species generated within the nanospaces of the PPI dendrimer and magadiite.

Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic studies of mesoporous silica grafted Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes

Synthesis of mesoporous silica grafted Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes and their catalytic applications.

Chelation gradients for investigation of metal ion binding at silica surfaces

Centimeter-long surface gradients in bi- and tridentate chelating agents have been formed via controlled rate infusion, and the coordination of Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) to these surfaces has been examined as a function of distance by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). 3-(Trimethoxysilylpropyl)ethylenediamine and 3-(trimethoxysilylpropyl)diethylenetriamine were used as precursor silanes to form the chelation gradients. When the gradients were exposed to a metal ion solution, a series of coordination complexes formed along the length of the substrate. For both chelating agents at the three different concentrations studied, the amine content gradually increased from top to bottom as expected for a surface chemical gradient. While the Cu 2p peak area had nearly the same profile as nitrogen, the Zn 2p peak area did not and exhibited a plateau along much of the gradient. The normalized nitrogen-to-metal peak area ratio (N/M) was found to be highly dependent on the type of ligand, its surface concentration, and the type of metal ion. For Cu(2+), the N/M ratio ranged from 8 to 11 on the diamine gradient and was ∼4 on the triamine gradient, while for Zn(2+), the N/M ratio was 4-8 on diamine and 5-7 on triamine gradients. The extent of protonation of amine groups was higher for the diamine gradients, which could lead to an increased N/M ratio. Both 1:1 and 1:2 ligand/metal complexes along with dinuclear complexes are proposed to form, with their relative amounts dependent on the ligand, ligand density, and metal ion. Collectively, the methods and results described herein represent a new approach to study metal ion binding and coordination on surfaces, which is especially important to the extraction, preconcentration, and separation of metal ions.

Confinement of a bioinspired nonheme Fe(II) complex in 2D hexagonal mesoporous silica with metal site isolation

A mixed amine pyridine polydentate Fe(II) complex was covalently tethered in hexagonal mesoporous silica of the MCM-41 type. Metal site isolation was generated using adsorbed tetramethylammonium cations acting as a patterned silanol protecting mask and trimethylsilylazane as a capping agent. Then, the amine/pyridine ligand bearing a tethering triethoxysilane group was either grafted to such a pretreated silica surface prior to or after complexation to Fe(II). These two synthetic routes, denoted as two-step and one-step, respectively, were also applied to fumed silica for comparison, except that the silanol groups were capped after tethering the metal unit. The coordination of the targeted complex was monitored using UV-visible spectrophotometry and, according to XPS, the best control was achieved inside the channels of the mesoporous silica for the two-step route. For the solid prepared according to the one-step route, tethering of the complex occurred mainly at the entrance of the channel.

Grafting of precoordinated Cu(2+)-N-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropylsilane complexes onto mesoporous silicas and the adsorption of aqueous selenate on them

N-(2-Aminoethyl)aminopropylsilane (AeAptes) was coordinated with Cu(2+) with Cu:AeAptes ratios of 1:1 and 1:2. These were then grafted onto MCM-41 [the products being denoted as Cu(en)-MCM-41 and Cu(en)2-MCM-41, respectively] and SBA-15 [the products being denoted as Cu(en)-SBA-15 and Cu(en)2-SBA-15, respectively]. The periodic structures of these mesoporous silica frameworks were well-retained after grafting. UV-visible and EPR spectroscopies were used to analyze the coordination structure of Cu(2+), revealing the structure expected from the ratio of Cu(2+) to silane. We also prepared Cu(en)- and Cu(en)2-M7D by the same procedure using Cab-O-sil M7D silica. In contrast to the complexes grafted onto the mesoporous silicas, no significant differences were found in the d-d transition band positions, the g-tensor, and hyperfine coupling constants between Cu(en)-M7D and Cu(en)2-M7D. The structural parameters of these were almost the same as those of Cu(en)-MCM-41 and Cu(en)-SBA-15, suggesting that the grafting onto M7D resulted in the transformation of coordination structure of Cu(2+)(AeAptes)2. The adsorption of selenate was analyzed using the Langmuir equation. The adsorption capacities for Cu(en)- and Cu(en)2-mesoporous silicas were Se/Cu = 0.5 and 1.0, respectively, while the Langmuir coefficients for Cu(en)2-mesoporous silicas were more than twice those for Cu(en)-mesoporous silicas. However, no significant differences in these two parameters were found between Cu(en)- and Cu(en)2-M7D; Se/Cu = 0.53-0.56 at saturation and the Langmuir coefficients were the same. The decomposition of the coordinated Cu complex after grafting onto M7D is discussed with respect to the structure of the silica surface. The electronic state of Cu in Cu(en)- and Cu(en)2-mesoporous silicas was analyzed by XANES spectroscopy before and after the adsorption of selenate.