Novel Silica Hybrid Xerogels Prepared by Co-Condensation of TEOS and ClPhTEOS: A Chemical and Morphological Study.

The search for new materials with improved properties for advanced applications is, nowadays, one of the most relevant and booming fields for scientists due to the environmental and technological needs of our society. Within this demand, hybrid siliceous materials, made out of organic and inorganic species (ORMOSILs), have emerged as an alternative with endless chemical and textural possibilities by incorporating in their structure the properties of inorganic compounds (i.e., mechanical, thermal, and structural stability) in synergy with those of organic compounds (functionality and flexibility), and thus, bestowing the material with unique properties, which allow access to multiple applications. In this work, synthesis using the sol-gel method of a series of new hybrid materials prepared by the co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and 4-chlorophenyltriethoxysilane (ClPhTEOS) in different molar ratios is described. The aim of the study is not only the preparation of new materials but also their characterization by means of different techniques (FT-IR, Si NMR, X-ray Diffraction, and N/CO adsorption, among others) to obtain information on their chemical behavior and porous structure. Understanding how the chemical and textural properties of these materials are modulated with respect to the molar percentage of organic precursor will help to envisage their possible applications: From the most conventional such as catalysis, adsorption, or separation, to the most advanced in nanotechnology such as microelectronics, photoluminescence, non-linear optics, or sensorics.