Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Microscopic Visualization of Porous Nanographenes Synthesized through a Combination of Solution and On-Surface Chemistry
Published on: March 4, 2021
A Porous POSiSil Suited for Pressure-Driven Reversible Confinement of Solutions: PSS-2
Sam Smet1, Pieter Verlooy1, Sreeprasanth Pulinthanathu1
1Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis - Characterization and Application Team, KULeuven, Celestijnenlaan 200f-2461, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract:
Polyoligosiloxysilicone (POSiSil; designated PSS-2) is a copolymer of double four-ring (D4R) cyclosilicate and dimethylsiloxane. It is synthesized by linking D4R units in tetrabutylammonium cyclosilicate crystals with dimethyldichlorosilane. The structure of PSS-2 was revealed using solid state NMR spectroscopy. In this 3D copolymer D4R units are connected systematically by short siloxane chains most likely composed of 2 to 3 dimethylsiloxane monomers. Controlling the conversion of the parent material allows for tuning the porosity of PSS-2. Residual parent material is embedded inside PSS-2 polymer and can be eliminated by calcination. This leaves nanovoids inside PSS-2, which is moderately hydrophobic. Pressure-driven intrusion-extrusion cycles of aqueous solution exhibit hysteresis, thus, PSS-2 can be used as reversible confinement for liquids with a capacity of around 1000 mm3 g-1 in porosity.
Related Concept Videos
Osmosis and Osmotic Pressure of Solutions
Solution Formation
This selective...
Ideal Solutions
Enthalpy of Solution
Solution Concentration and Dilution
Weak Base Solutions

