Functionalized mesoporous organic-inorganic hybrids through pore surface-restricted post-polymerization

Mesoporous polymer-silica hybrid materials were prepared by polymerization of selected organic monomers on the mesopore surface of SBA-15 silicas. The new nanoporous materials were post-functionalized on their pore surface to introduce sulfonic acid groups or amine functionalities, using sulfuric acid and ethylenediamine, respectively. The materials were thoroughly characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, N(2) sorption, thermogravimetry and elemental analysis. This synthesis route provides an alternative for the generation of new functional materials suitable for application as catalysts or selective sorbents, and will open access to studies of fundamental aspects of nano-confined polymers inside mesopores.