Synthesis of 1,10-phenanthroline functionalized periodic mesoporous organosilicas as metal ion-responsive sensors

• Phenanthroline bridged organosilane precursor (Phen-Si) was synthesized.
• Periodic mesoporous organosilicas with phenanthroline in the framework (Phen-PMOs) were synthesized.
• Phen-PMOs have potential application in recognition of different type and concentration of metal ions.

The periodic mesoporous organosilicas with 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) integrated in the framework (Phen-PMOs) were synthesized by co-condensation of tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and the phenanthroline bridged organosilicas (Phen-Si) using triblock copolymer P123 as a template in weak acidic medium. The FT-IR, 13C CP-MAS and 29Si MAS NMR characterizations confirmed the integration of phenanthroline ligand in material. The Phen-PMOs have ordered 2-D hexagonal mesostructure though the structural order decreases with the increment in Phen content based on XRD and TEM characterizations. The hybrid materials exhibited specific surface area of 328–106 m2/g and total pore volume of 0.43–0.17 cm3/g. These Phen-functionalized PMOs, with strong blue fluorescent emission originated from phenanthroline group in the framework, have potential application in recognition of different metal ions, with luminescence intensity sensed to the type and concentration of the metal ions.

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