Nanoscale organic/inorganic hybrids based on self-organized dendritic macromolecules on montmorillonites

This article is intended to investigate the aspects regarding the nanoscale organic/inorganic hybrids base on dendritic molecules, and the issues that arises from the use of self-assembly approach upon layered templates for the construction of functional materials. A facile synthesis of polyurea(urethane)/malonamide dendrons (from generation one, G1, to generation three, G3) with phenyl rings (P), decyl groups (D), or azo chromophores (disperse red 1; DR1) in the exterior was developed first. The dendrons consisting of secondary amine functional group in the focal point were successfully introduced into the interlayer space of montmorillonite (MMT) to prepare a series of dendron/MMT nanohybrids that reveal intercalated and exfoliated morphology. We were able to explore the possibility of obtaining the layer spacing up to 126 Å via embedding various dendrons into the silicate interlayers, and to investigate the intercalating effects of different molecular sizes and shapes. These results indicate that organic/inorganic nanohybrids resulting from the association of dendrons and inorganic clay minerals can be contributed by a direct self-assembly of hydrophobic dendrons in the layered confinement. Through embedding the void-rich dendritic molecules into interlayers, these new organic/inorganic layered nanohybrids might possess potential applications for nano-containers, nano-reactors, electro-optical materials, etc.