Synthesis and characterization of porous clay-organic heterostructures

Abstract

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of porous clay-organic heterostructures. The silylation of organically modified clay minerals by a phenyl-bridged silica precursor can create a silica network between the clay layers while simultaneously an exfoliated heterostructure is achieved. Subsequent thermal treatment up to 350 °C removes the aliphatic moieties of the heterostructure and subsequently high surface area is obtained, while a high amount of phenylene groups are still remained trapped in the silica network. This intriguing phenyl/heterostructure possesses a hydrophobic character and accessible surface areas alongside the presence of the phenylene groups embedded in the silica network making this novel material very attractive for potential use in diverse functional applications in catalysis, absorption and as filler in polymer nanocomposites.