Tailoring the microstructure and surface properties of hydrogen silsesquioxane via an in-situ thiol functionalization

In this study, a novel strategy has been proposed for thiol functionalization of hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) via an in-situ reaction between Si-H groups and H2S at high temperatures. Compared to conventional strategies with long chain alkane thiols, the in-situ thiol functionalization with H2S can effectively maintain the open and accessible pore structure of the resultant networks. Water sorption measurements confirmed that the pore networks of thiol functionalized silsesquioxane (HS-SQ) had a higher affinity to water than that of HSQ. A continuous and crack-free HS-SQ film with low roughness was obtained on the support. The new strategy and materials show great promise for versatile applications in adsorption, catalysis and separation based on both the structure and surface superiorities.