Synthesis of functionalized mesoporous material with various organo-silanes

Two kinds of ordered mesoporous silicas, SBA-15 and MSU-H, have been synthesized and functionalized by direct and post synthesis method to widen their various application possibilities. In this study, phenyltrimethoxysilane (PTMS), methacryloxy-methyltrimethoxysilane (MAMTMS), 2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane (ECETMS), and N(beta-aminoethyl)-gamma-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane (AEAPMDMS) were used as a silane precursor for the functionalization. The post synthesis was more effective method to sustain ordered pore structure than the direct synthesis method under our experimental conditions. The surface area and pore size of mesoporous silica SBA-15 and MSU-H decreased through the functionalization process. FT-IR and XPS results confirmed the functionalized silane existence in the SBA-15/MAMTMS. These functional groups (vinyl, epoxide, and amine group) could be useful for various applications such as a linker of functional organic materials or active metal for heterogeneous catalysts. As a practical instance, rhodium immobilized on the aminated SBA-15 was investigated as a 1-octene hydroformylation.