Adsorption and wetting characterization of hydrophobic SBA-15 silicas

This work describes adsorption and wetting characterization of hydrophobic ordered mesoporous silicas (OMSs) with the SBA-15 motif. Three synthetic approaches to prepare hydrophobic SBA-15 silicas were explored: grafting with (1) covalently-attached monolayers (CAMs) of CnH2n+1Si(CH3)2N(CH3)2, (2) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of CnH2n+1Si(OEt)3, and (3) direct (“one-pot”) co-condensation of TEOS with CnH2n+1Si(OEt)3 in presence of P123 (n = 1–18). The materials prepared were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, TEM, and chemical analysis. The surface properties of the materials were assessed by water contact angles (CAs) and by BET C constants. The results showed that, while loadings of the alkyl groups (%C) were comparable, the surface properties and pore ordering of the materials prepared through different methods were quite different. The best quality hydrophobic surfaces were prepared for SBA-15 grafted with CAMs of alkylsilanes. For these materials, the water CAs were above ∼120°/100° (adv/rec) and BET C constants were in the range of ∼15–25, indicating uniform low-energy surfaces of closely packed alkyl groups on external and internal surfaces of the pores respectively. Moreover, surfaces grafted with the long-chained (C12–C18) silanes showed super-hydrophobic behavior (CAs ∼ 150–180°) and extremely low adhesion for water. The pore uniformity of parental SBA-15 was largely preserved and the pore volume and pore diameter were consistent with the formation of a single layer of alkylsilyl groups inside the pores. Post-synthesis grafting of SBA-15 with SAMs worked not as well as CAMs: the surfaces prepared demonstrated lower water CAs and higher BET C constants, thereby indicating a small amount of accessible polar groups (Si–OH) related to packing constrains for SAMs supported on highly curved surfaces of mesopores. The co-condensation method produced substantially more disordered materials and less hydrophobic surfaces than any of the grafting methods. The surfaces of these materials showed low water CAs and high BET C constants (∼100–200) thereby demonstrating a non-uniform surface coverage and presence of unmodified silica. It is concluded that CAMs chemistry is the most efficient approach in preparation of the functionalized OMS materials with uniform surfaces and pores.

P123 + TEOS + (EtO)3SiCnH2n+1.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (91 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► A series of alkyl-SBA-15 silicas were prepared by grafting and co-condensation.
► While bulk composition was similar, surface properties of silicas were different.
► Grafting produced high quality hydrophobic silicas with uniform pores.
► Co-condensation yielded materials with disordered pores and heterogeneous surfaces.