Biomimetic synthesis of microporous and mesoporous materials at room temperature and neutral pH, with application in electronics, controlled release of chemicals, and catalysis

Abstract

Micro- and mesoporous materials molecular sieves have been synthesized at neutral pH and room temperature using a mimic of “silicatein” for mobilizing the silica. This methodology allows preparing molecular sieves materials in where less stable molecules can be encapsulated, leading to a final material with potential applications in electronics (conducting polymers) or for controlled release of chemicals (pheromones). Furthermore, the framework flexibility of the obtained materials allows introducing transition metals in tetrahedral coordination within the silicate in larger amounts than in zeolites, while preserving the activity and selectivity of the metals for selective oxidation reactions.