Nanoscale organic/inorganic hybrids based on self-organized dendritic macromolecules on montmorillonites

This article is intended to investigate the aspects regarding the nanoscale organic/inorganic hybrids base on dendritic molecules, and the issues that arises from the use of self-assembly approach upon layered templates for the construction of functional materials. A facile synthesis of polyurea(urethane)/malonamide dendrons (from generation one, G1, to generation three, G3) with phenyl rings (P), decyl groups (D), or azo chromophores (disperse red 1; DR1) in the exterior was developed first. The dendrons consisting of secondary amine functional group in the focal point were successfully introduced into the interlayer space of montmorillonite (MMT) to prepare a series of dendron/MMT nanohybrids that reveal intercalated and exfoliated morphology. We were able to explore the possibility of obtaining the layer spacing up to 126 angstrom via embedding various dendrons into the silicate interlayers, and to investigate the intercalating effects of different molecular sizes and shapes. These results indicate that organic/inorganic nanohybrids resulting from the association of dendrons and inorganic clay minerals can be contributed by a direct self-assembly of hydrophobic dendrons in the layered confinement. Through embedding the void-rich dendritic molecules into interlayers, these new organic/inorganic layered nanohybrids might possess potential applications for nano-containers, nano-reactors, electro-optical materials, etc. (C) 2009 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.