Periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles: morphology control and sorption properties

The synthesis of various periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (nanoPMOs) from the corresponding organo-bridged bis(triethoxy)silanes is described. A strong influence sodium hydroxide concentration observed, leading to sizes or morphologies depending on precursor. In particular, in case ethenylene linker, morphology evolves small flakes elongated particles, while phenylene precursor, well-organized arms start form at high base concentration. mechanistic study shows that all cases nucleate before condensation reaction commences and very low conversions hydrolysis ethoxysilanes. resulting hybrid nanoPMOs were compared for their adsorption properties towards rhodamine B (RB), which highlights large differences between with different linkers, evidences a affinity PMO poly-aromatic dye. Similarly, sorption cyclohexane water revealed much higher lipophilicity phenylene-bridged nanoPMO other studied despite similar hydrophilicity. These results should help better design as nanovectors drugs.