Issue 3, 2020

In situ formed methyl-co-(bis-R) silsesquioxane based polymer networks with solvent controlled pore size distributions and high surface areas

Abstract

High surface area materials are of considerable interest for gas and analyte storage/capture, molecular sieving, catalyst supports, and slow release delivery systems. This paper set out to gain a fundamental understanding of the influence reaction parameters have on structure–property relationships of fluoride-catalyzed methylsilsesquioxane based porous networks. For this study, twelve solvents of varying polarities were used and were compared for their effect on gelation and final properties related to porosity, hydrophobicity, and solvent uptake. We find that solvent choice and water compatibility plays an extremely important role in gaining specific pore size distributions, surface areas and gel types, with a consistent cross-linker size and length. Reactions conducted in acetonitrile and dichloromethane offer surface areas >1000 m2 g−1, but with acetonitrile being mesopore dominant and having global gel formation versus dichloromethane, which is micropore dominant and gave gel particles. The difference in these reactions comes from their variances in solvation of monomer/oligomer and water. In addition to these findings, swelling studies of gels made from acetonitrile result in >700% by mass solvent reabsorption after drying out. This study enhances the toolbox for continued improvement and development of thermally stable, selective analyte uptake, porous materials.

Graphical abstract: In situ formed methyl-co-(bis-R) silsesquioxane based polymer networks with solvent controlled pore size distributions and high surface areas

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
10 Dec. 2019
Accepted
04 Febr. 2020
First published
05 Febr. 2020

Mater. Chem. Front., 2020,4, 851-861

In situ formed methyl-co-(bis-R) silsesquioxane based polymer networks with solvent controlled pore size distributions and high surface areas

N. Hu, C. U. Lenora, T. A. May, N. C. Hershberger and J. C. Furgal, Mater. Chem. Front., 2020, 4, 851 DOI: 10.1039/C9QM00748B

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements