A Pyrrole-Containing Surfactant as a Tecton for Nanocomposite SiO₂ Films

Abstract

A surfactant featuring a polymerizable pyrrole head group (dodecyl-dimethyl-(2-pyrrol-1-yl-ethyl)-ammonium bromide, DDPABr) was synthesized. The thermotropic behavior of the surfactant was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray scattering techniques, with small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis revealing a highly ordered lamellar bilayer structure. After full characterization, DDPABr was used in the preparation of mesostructured SiO2 nanocomposite thin films via evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA). Resulting thin SiO2-DDPABr films were studied by 1D and 2D small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) techniques, indicating a lamellar nanocomposite structure. Suitable theoretical SAXS models were applied to fit the experimental 1D SAXS data. The surfactant could be chemically polymerized within the lamellar domains.

Pyrrole containing ionic liquid as tecton for construction of ordered mesoporous silica with aligned polypyrrole nanowires in channels

“…[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]19 To overcome this problem, several groups have designed special amphiphilic molecules that can serve as both structure-directing agents and monomers for simultaneous construction of SiO 2 insulating layers and conducting PPy. 20,21 Although densely packed, homogeneous silica/polymer nanostructure was achieved using the designed quaternary ammonium based polymerizable surfactants, only insoluble black precipitate was obtained after the removal of the silica framework, and no information about the morphology of the formed PPy in the channels was given. 20,21 Hence, there is still a need for designing alternative structuredirecting agents with improved templating properties to generate mesostructured silica with well-distinct PPy molecular wires in channels.…”

“…20,21 Although densely packed, homogeneous silica/polymer nanostructure was achieved using the designed quaternary ammonium based polymerizable surfactants, only insoluble black precipitate was obtained after the removal of the silica framework, and no information about the morphology of the formed PPy in the channels was given. 20,21 Hence, there is still a need for designing alternative structuredirecting agents with improved templating properties to generate mesostructured silica with well-distinct PPy molecular wires in channels.…”