Self-assembled organic-inorganic silica hybrids from polyviologens

Polyviologens (bipyridinium polymers) are effective catalysts for the polymerisation of silicic acid at room temperature and neutral pH. Variations in the alkylene spacer length and the associated counter ion appear to have little, if any, effect upon the rate of polymerisation as measured by the colorimetric molybdosilicate method. The resultant hybrid materials are amorphous aggregates of roughly spherical particles typically less than 0.1 mum in diameter.