Synthesis of single crystalline anthracene-silica hybrid and its structural and optical properties

Single crystalline anthracene-silica hybrid particles (Ant-silica) with leaf-like morphology and a monoclinic crystal structure were synthesized by hydrolysis of 2,6-bis(triethoxysilyl)anthracene in the presence of a triblock copolymer surfactant, followed by thermal polycondensation. This is the first example of organosilica hybrids to preserve a crystal structure and well-defined particle morphology even after the polycondensation. The unit cell parameter and the configuration of the unit cells in the particle were unraveled by X-ray and electron diffraction measurements. The optical studies suggested more interactive (face-to-face) arrangement of the anthracene rings in the anthracene-silica hybrid than that in anthracene molecular crystal. Ant-silica exhibited higher thermal stability (>480 °C) than that of anthracene molecular crystal (<200 °C) due to incorporation in the silica network.

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