Synthesis of silica xerogels with highly distinct morphologies in the presence of imidazolium ionic liquids

Recent Applications of Ionic Liquids in the Sol-Gel Process for Polymer–Silica Nanocomposites with Ionic Interfaces

“…This mechanism predicts the simultaneous existence of H-bonds between [BF 4 ] anions and silica matrix together with imidazolium rings π-π stacking, which resulted in mesoporous silica formation (Figure 4) [61]. Based on that, the geometry, size, polarity and Coulomb coupling forces between anions and cations contribute directly to the final particle size, compactness and morphology ( Figure 4) [4,5,[60][61][62][63]65,79,84,85]. [64,83].…”

“…However, it is known that the structural behavior of the original solution also determines the polycondensation and network formation in the sol-gel process [2]. Further, a series of studies were performed applying and investigating the influence of different ILs from the first moments of the reaction, allowing further particle structure control [3][4][5]8,60]. It was observed initially that the use of ILs with 1-ethylene glycol monomethyl ether-3-methylimidazolium [C3OMIm] cation associated to different anions ([BF4], methanesulfonate [MeSO3], and hexafluorophosphate [PF6]) resulted in highly distinct morphologies, depending on anion applied.…”

“…It was observed initially that the use of ILs with 1-ethylene glycol monomethyl ether-3-methylimidazolium [C3OMIm] cation associated to different anions ([BF4], methanesulfonate [MeSO3], and hexafluorophosphate [PF6]) resulted in highly distinct morphologies, depending on anion applied. Moreover, further extracting the ILs exposed the ordered porous silica structures formed ( Figure 5) [60].…”

“…Further, a series of studies were performed applying and investigating the influence of different ILs from the first moments of the reaction, allowing further particle structure control [3][4][5]8,60] 6 ]) resulted in highly distinct morphologies, depending on anion applied. Moreover, further extracting the ILs exposed the ordered porous silica structures formed ( Figure 5) [60].…”

The ionic liquid [Bmim][FeCl₄] catalyzes the formation of iron doped mesoporous silica aerogels for H₂O₂ decomposition

“…The current work focuses on the question whether [Bmim] [FeCl 4 ] can act as an ILP for the synthesis of a transition metal containing mesoporous silica material. It has also been demonstrated that ILs are efficient tools for the design of mesoporous silica [22] [23] [24] [25] [26]. As a result, we wondered if a suitable IL may (i) catalyze the hydrolysis of appropriate silanes to form a mesoporous matrix and (ii) at the same time serve as the metal source for the formation of catalytically active metal species within the SiO 2 network.…”