Reassessing the Physicochemical Properties of Ordered Mesoporous Polymer and Copolymer Nanocasts |
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Authors: | Simon Bilodeau Justyna Florek Freddy Kleitz |
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Affiliation: | 1. Laval University, Department of Chemistry, G1V 0A6 Quebec City, Canada;2. University of Vienna, Department of Inorganic Chemistry – Functional Materials, Faculty of Chemistry, Währinger Straße 42, 1090 Vienna, Austria |
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Abstract: | Nanocasting is a convenient way for preparing highly porous, nanostructured soft materials. Mesoporous polymer nanocasts have been reported for over a decade, however, several aspects remain to be explored further. To do so, we report a comprehensive investigation of the physicochemical characteristics of high surface area functional organic polymers and copolymers obtained by nanocasting. Divinylbenzene, styrene and chloromethyl styrene were selectively polymerized within the pores of mesoporous SBA-15 or KIT-6 silicas. Following template removal, the resulting materials were characterized. The nanocast mesoporous polymers were also modified to introduce functional groups. The success of the functionalization was assessed analytically and by model catalytic tests. The study points to the advantages of the hard templating method for structuring organic materials but also its limitations. |
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Keywords: | Adsorption Mesoporous polymers Nanocasting Nanopores Polydivinylbenzene Sulfonation |
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