Functional nanoporous organic-inorganic hybrid materials

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Among nanomaterials, materials with pores in the nanometer range, e.g. nanoporous materials, are of great interest for their perspectives as sorbents, catalysts and hosts for nanoscale objects. The aim of my research program is to develop new types of porous organic-inorganic hybrids with designed functionalities for the production of highly selective sorbents, recyclable and size-and-shape selective heterogeneous catalysts and controlled delivery systems. To achieve this goal, the research focuses principally on the design of porous solids structured at the nanoscale level and combining different functions originating from the assembly of constituents with distinct properties. Such multifunctional materials can have a variety of distinct chemical and physical properties in a single hybrid structure. Especially, the interfaces between organics and the inorganic constituent, their local environment and the relative location of components in the structure are expected to influence greatly the properties of the resulting composites in a cooperative manner. Synthetically, the approach is based on locating specifically functional polymers or organic entities inside mesoporous inorganic hosts (pores in 5-30 nm). Mesoporous silica, particularly, offers high stability and great diversity in framework structure and pore modality. For example, with the selective restriction of the polymerization of vinyl monomers inside the pores present in the silica walls and forming a thin coating on the main nanopore surface, one can generate fully integrated robust porous organic-inorganic hybrids.  Subsequently, the high pore surface area with functional sites enables easy surface modification via organic reactions or the incorporation of other guests. The different functional groups being parts of the polymer or added by post-treatment will permit specific interactions with target molecules leading to innovative materials for selective CO2 adsorption or pollutant removal. The functionalized nanoporous composites have also prospects as solid heterogeneous catalysts. In addition to applications and technological aspects, my program emphasizes fundamental understanding of host-guest interactions within solid matrices and transport at the nanoscale.