Cover Picture:Transparent Zeolite–Polymer Hybrid Materials with Adaptable Properties (Adv. Funct. Mater. 14/2007)

Abstract

On p. 2298, Gion Calzaferri and co‐workers of the University of Bern, Switzerland report on a new, simple preparation procedure for highly transparent zeolite‐polymer hybrid materials and polymer covered zeolite L monolayers. The thus‐obtained new transparent host–guest inorganic–organic hybrid materials offer fascinating novel possibilities for the development of optical devices such as lenses, special mirrors, filters, polarizer, grids, optical storage devices, and windows.We report here on a simple preparation procedure for highly transparent zeolite‐polymer hybrid materials and polymer covered zeolite L monolayers. Wrapping up zeolites containing, e.g., dye molecules as guest species with alkoxysilane derivatives results in an efficient dispersion of the nano particles into the organic liquid monomer. The following copolymerisation process leads to a hard, insoluble and transparent material containing zeolites. Optical properties such as colour, luminescence, refractive index or photochromism can be adapted by simply changing the type and amount of the guest in the zeolite crystals, while transparency is maintained.