Functionalization of hybrid organosilica based membranes for water desalination – Preparation using Ethyl Silicate 40 and P123

Abstract

Abstract Hybrid organosilica are recency type of membranes derived from Ethyl Silicate 40 (ES40) and pluronic triblock copolymer (P123) precursors. These materials were employed to improve the hydrostability of pure silica matrices becomes stronger especially when applied for water desalination. This work shows for the first time the functionalization of hybrid ES40-P123 materials which prepare for organosilica membranes fabrication. The aim of this work is to investigate the vibration of siloxane (Si-O-Si), silanol (Si-OH) and silica-carbon (Si-C) groups of hybrid organosilica (ES40-P123) xerogels measured by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) and fityk software. Silica sols are produced by combining ES40 and P123 materials using sol-gel method through hydrolysis and condensation reactions with acid-base catalysts. P123 was added together with base catalyst in sol mixtures to form hybrid silica P123 structures. This process was held at 50 °C for 3 h of reflux. The final molar ratios of hybrid organosilica (ES40-P123) of the ES40:ethanol:nitric acid:H2O:ammonia:P123 were calculated to be 1:120:0.0022:16:0.009:0.1, respectively. From the FTIR measurement, the functionalization of organosilica (ES40-P123) xerogels was detected as siloxane (Si-O-Si) groups at the wavelength 1067 and 1220 cm−1. Silanol (Si-OH) groups at 958 cm−1. Then, silica-carbon (Si-C) group was detected at wavelength 801 cm−1. The presence of silica-carbon indicates the organosilica structure become enhanced and more stable toward water.