Crystallization in hybrid organic-inorganic materials through self-organization from 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane

Abstract

Hybrid organicinorganic materials can organize into layered crystalline structures through self-organization when bridged silsesquioxanes are used in the solgel synthesis. Crystallization is, however, also observed in hybrid materials when 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane is left to react in highly basic conditions; this synthesis route shows a peculiar property which is the possibility of preparing also crystalline hybrid films by controlling the solgel process. The crystalline films exhibit optical anisotropy and are optically transparent. In this article we briefly review the main achievements of our research group in the field.

Tuning Nanoparticle Surface Chemistry and Interfacial Properties for Highly Stable Nitrogen-In-Brine Foams

“…The nanoparticle modification was based on previous work ,− as follows: As shown in Scheme , the ether diol NPs “ED-NPs” were synthesized using GPTMS as the silane agent by revising a reported method . A known amount of GPTMS was added to a stirred aqueous NP solution, at pH of 9.5, that contains 30% v/v methanol (for dissolution , ) as a cosolvent such that the final NP concentration was 10 wt %.…”

Smart tailoring of the surface chemistry in GPTMS hybrid organic–inorganic films

“…5,6 In previous studies we have extensively explored the sol-gel chemistry of GPTMS. 7 In particular, when the reaction is carried out under conditions of extreme basic pH, we have found that self-assembled nano-crystals form both in bulk and films. The synthesis can be considered solventless since it is realized by adding less than a third of a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution to two thirds of neat GPTMS; optically transparent films of controlled thickness can be obtained even when hybrid nanocrystals form inside the material.…”

Thickness controlled sol-gel silica films for plasmonic bio-sensing devices

“…The plasmonic device consists of a 2D arrays of poly-(methyl-methacrylate) (PMMA) truncated conical pillars embedded in an optically thick gold film deposited on glass substrate [15,16]. Once the effects of the main parameters affecting layer thickness were investigated, silica layers were deposited on plasmonic structures by dipcoating from highly diluted sol (Scheme 1) at a fixed speed.…”

“…In fact, many parameters affect the sol-gel mechanism reaction [14,15,16], therefore, the sol-gel process and deposition technique has to be optimized.…”