Metallosurfactants in the preparation of mesoporous silicas

Amphiphiles incorporating a complexed metal ion centre, viz. macrobicyclic hexamine ligands termed ‘sarcophagines’, have been investigated as templating agents in the synthesis of mesoporous silicas. Materials were prepared using copper and cobalt containing metallosurfactants in two different synthetic procedures that produced several materials that appeared to incorporate the metals into the porous silica structures. The copper containing materials displayed aggregation of the metal at the high temperatures employed during calcination, whilst the cobalt materials did not appear to aggregate under the same conditions. The materials were all characterised by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and BET surface area measurements, which showed that the products were well ordered, hexagonally arranged metal incorporated materials with high surface areas.

Amphiphiles incorporating a complexed metal ion centre, viz. macrobicyclic hexamine ligands termed ‘sarcophagines’, have been investigated as templating agents in the synthesis of mesoporous silicas.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Amphiphiles with a complexed metal ion are used in the synthesis of mesoporous silicas.
► Materials were prepared using copper and cobalt containing metallosurfactants.
► The Cu materials showed aggregation of the metal at the high temps used and the Co materials did not.
► The products were well ordered, hexagonal arranged materials with high surface areas.