Synthesis of non-spherical bridged polysilsesquioxane particles with controllable morphology

Abstract

Bridged polysilsesquioxanes (BPS) are promising organic–inorganic hybrid materials with tunable properties and versatile applications. However, the facile synthesis of non-spherical BPS particles still remains a challenge. Herein, non-spherical BPS particles were prepared through a one-step sol-gel method using 1, 2-bis (triethoxysilyl) ethane (BTSE) and vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) as precursors. The catalysis of ammonia was essential in constructing non-spherical BPS particles. With the amount of ammonia increasing, the morphology of BPS particles could range from bowl-like to raspberry-like. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the morphologies and track the growth process of BPS particles. The result of 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) implied that the inner and surface composition of BPS particles was different and silanol groups existed on the surface. Hence, we proposed a possible formation mechanism in accordance with these results and expected that this work would contribute to the synthesis of desired morphologies of BPS particles in various fields.