Organic-inorganic hybrids containing phosphonate groups obtained by sol-gel process

Organophosphorus acids and their derivatives are highly promising coupling molecules that allow the anchoring of organic groups to inorganic solids. In this paper we present the synthesis, by sol-gel method, of organic-inorganic hybrids containing organic phosphonic groups. The obtained hybrid materials were characterized by N(2) adsorption/desorption, IR Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). IR spectra of the obtained samples show in the 900-1300 region the presence of the vibration typical of phosphonates group. These results suggest the formation of the hybrid network containing Si-O-Si and Si-O-P bonds. TEM, SEM micrographs show mezzo-macroporous materials with high surface area. A low ordered mesoporous structure was evidenced by TEM images.