Periodic mesoporous organosilicas for advanced applications

Abstract

In 1999, three groups independently developed a novel class of organic–inorganic nanocomposites known as periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs). The organic functional groups in the frameworks of these solids allow tuning of the surface properties and modification of the bulk properties of the material. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of PMOs and discusses their different functionalities, morphology and applications, such as catalysis, drug delivery, sensing, optics, electronic devices, environmental applications (gas sensing and gas adsorption), biomolecule adsorption and chromatography for which PMOs have been used over the past 5 years. Periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) are prominent materials for a wide variety of application including catalysis, drug and gene transfer, sensing and imaging, optics, electronic devices, gas sensing, gas adsorption, biomolecule adsorption and chromatographic phases owing to their outstanding pore wall tuning properties. Since each organic molecule in their framework has different chemical behavior, incorporating different organic functionalities into the PMO framework make the materials with unique properties for specific applications. A wide range of PMOs with various bridged organic functionalities and morphologies have been prepared. However, some aspects remain to be studied. The current results and the forthcoming advances in PMOs will make them the materials of excellent for some high-technology applications. PMOs proved to be very useful in a variety of applications, and many others can be envisaged for the near future. In recent years, incorporating organic functionalities into inorganic materials has emerged as an efficient strategy for constructing a variety of functional materials. Periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) were one of the first such classes of composites to be developed. Grafting organic moieties within the channel walls of porous silicas — to act as bridges between neighboring silicon atoms — enables the tuning of their bulk properties, such as mechanical strength, or their surface characteristics — hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity or guest-binding abilities, for example. Chang-Sik Ha and colleagues from Pusan National University, South Korea, review how the wide range of morphologies and functionalities that have been prepared to date make PMOs desirable for numerous and varied practical applications. These hybrid materials have proven attractive for applications ranging from catalysis and drug delivery to the sorption of guest molecules and optoelectronics.