Mesoporous bioglass/silk composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

In the past 20 years, mesoporous materials have been attracted great attention due to their significant feature of large surface area, ordered mesoporous structure, tunable pore size and volume, and well-defined surface property. They have many potential applications, such as catalysis, adsorption/separation, biomedicine, etc. [1]. Recently, the studies of the applications of mesoporous materials have been expanded into the field of biomaterials science. A new class of bioactive glass, referred to as mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG), was first developed in 2004. This material has a highly ordered mesopore channel structure with a pore size ranging from 5–20 nm [1]. Compared to non-mesopore bioactive glass (BG), MBG possesses a more optimal surface area, pore volume and improved in vitro apatite mineralization in simulated body fluids [1,2]. Vallet-Regí et al. has systematically investigated the in vitro apatite formation of different types of mesoporous materials, and they demonstrated that an apatite-like layer can be formed on the surfaces of Mobil Composition of Matters (MCM)-48, hexagonal mesoporous silica (SBA-15), phosphorous-doped MCM-41, bioglass-containing MCM-41 and ordered mesoporous MBG, allowing their use in biomedical engineering for tissue regeneration [2-4]. Chang et al. has found that MBG particles can be used for a bioactive drug-delivery system [5,6]. Our study has shown that MBG powders, when incorporated into a poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) film, significantly enhance the apatite-mineralization ability and cell response of PLGA films. compared to BG [7]. These studies suggest that MBG is a very promising bioactive material with respect to bone regeneration. It is known that for bone defect repair, tissue engineering represents an optional method by creating three-dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds which will have more advantages than powders or granules as 3D scaffolds will provide an interconnected macroporous network to allow cell migration, nutrient delivery, bone ingrowth, and eventually vascularization [8]. For this reason, we try to apply MBG for bone tissue engineering by developing MBG scaffolds. However, one of the main disadvantages of MBG scaffolds is their low mechanical strength and high brittleness; the other issue is that they have very quick degradation, which leads to an unstable surface for bone cell growth limiting their applications. Silk fibroin, as a new family of native biomaterials, has been widely studied for bone and cartilage repair applications in the form of pure silk or its composite scaffolds [9-14]. Compared to traditional synthetic polymer materials, such as PLGA and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), the chief advantage of silk fibroin is its water-soluble nature, which eliminates the need for organic solvents, that tend to be highly cytotoxic in the process of scaffold preparation [15]. Other advantages of silk scaffolds are their excellent mechanical properties, controllable biodegradability and cytocompatibility [15-17]. However, for the purposes of bone tissue engineering, the osteoconductivity of pure silk scaffolds is suboptimal. It is expected that combining MBG with silk to produce MBG/silk composite scaffolds would greatly improve their physiochemical and osteogenic properties for bone tissue engineering application. Therefore, in this chapter, we will introduce the research development of MBG/silk scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Effects of mesostructured silica catalysts on the depolymerization of organosolv lignin fractionated from woody eucalyptus

Isolated and purified organosolv eucalyptus wood lignin was depolymerized at different temperatures with and without mesostructured silica catalysts (i.e., SBA-15, MCM-41, ZrO2-SBA-15 and ZrO2-MCM-41). It was found that at 300 oC for 1 h with a solid/liquid ratio of 0.0175/1 (w/v), the SBA-15 catalyst with high acidity gave the highest syringol yield of 23.0% in a methanol/water mixture (50/50, wt/wt). Doping with ZrO2 over these catalysts did not increase syringol yield, but increased the total amount of solid residue. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) also identified other main phenolic compounds such as 1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-ethanone, 1,2-benzenediol, and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-benzaldehyde. Analysis of the lignin residues with Fourier transform-Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicated decreases in the absorption bands intensities of OH group, C-O stretching of syringyl ring and aromatic C-H deformation of syringol unit, and an increase in band intensities associated with the guaiacyl ring, confirming the type of products formed.

Mesoporous silica- and silicon-based materials as carriers for poorly water soluble drugs

New chemical entities with unfavorable water solubility properties are continuously emerging in drug discovery. Without pharmaceutical manipulations inefficient concentrations of these drugs in the systemic circulation are probable. Typically, in order to be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, the drug has to be dissolved. Several methods have been developed to improve the dissolution of poorly soluble drugs. In this study, the applicability of different types of mesoporous (pore diameters between 2 and 50 nm) silicon- and silica-based materials as pharmaceutical carriers for poorly water soluble drugs was evaluated. Thermally oxidized and carbonized mesoporous silicon materials, ordered mesoporous silicas MCM-41 and SBA-15, and non-treated mesoporous silicon and silica gel were assessed in the experiments. The characteristic properties of these materials are the narrow pore diameters and the large surface areas up to over 900 m²/g. Loading of poorly water soluble drugs into these pores restricts their crystallization, and thus, improves drug dissolution from the materials as compared to the bulk drug molecules. In addition, the wide surface area provides possibilities for interactions between the loaded substance and the carrier particle, allowing the stabilization of the system. Ibuprofen, indomethacin and furosemide were selected as poorly soluble model drugs in this study. Their solubilities are strongly pH-dependent and the poorest (< 100 µg/ml) at low pH values. The pharmaceutical performance of the studied materials was evaluated by several methods. In this work, drug loading was performed successfully using rotavapor and fluid bed equipment in a larger scale and in a more efficient manner than with the commonly used immersion methods. It was shown that several carrier particle properties, in particular the pore diameter, affect the loading efficiency (typically ~25-40 w-%) and the release rate of the drug from the mesoporous carriers. A wide pore diameter provided easier loading and faster release of the drug. The ordering and length of the pores also affected the efficiency of the drug diffusion. However, these properties can also compensate the effects of each other. The surface treatment of porous silicon was important in stabilizing the system, as the non-treated mesoporous silicon was easily oxidized at room temperature. Different surface chemical treatments changed the hydrophilicity of the porous silicon materials and also the potential interactions between the loaded drug and the particle, which further affected the drug release properties. In all of the studies, it was demonstrated that loading into mesoporous silicon and silica materials improved the dissolution of the poorly soluble drugs as compared to the corresponding bulk compounds (e.g. after 30 min ~2-7 times more drug was dissolved depending on the materials). The release profile of the loaded substances remained similar also after 3 months of storage at 30°C/56% RH. The thermally carbonized mesoporous silicon did not compromise the Caco-2 monolayer integrity in the permeation studies and improved drug permeability was observed. The loaded mesoporous silica materials were also successfully compressed into tablets without compromising their characteristic structural and drug releasing properties. The results of this research indicated that mesoporous silicon/silica-based materials are promising materials to improve the dissolution of poorly water soluble drugs. Their feasibility in pharmaceutical laboratory scale processes was also confirmed in this thesis.

Development of the heterogeneous catalysts for the production of levulinic acid from furfuryl alcohol

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稀土(Er, Nd, Yb, Pr, Ho, Sm)有机/无机杂化材料的制备及发光性能研究

目前，国内外对于铕和铽等稀土配合物的可见区发光和应用都有大量研究，但对具有近红外发光（800-1700 nm）性能的稀土配合物的研究还处于起步阶段。由于稀土的近红外发光在光纤通讯、激光系统及诊断学等方面应用具有特殊的优点，越来越引起人们的兴趣和重视。 稀土近红外发光配合物的致命弱点是其光、热和化学稳定性较差，从而限制了其在很多领域的实际应用。而溶胶－凝胶材料和介孔材料具有良好的光、热和化学稳定性，能改善客体分子的结构环境和化学微环境，从而能有效提高客体分子的发光性能。因此，本论文将具有优良近红外发光性能的稀土配合物分别与上述两种基质复合，从实验和理论研究稀土近红外发光杂化材料的性能和应用价值，制备出具有良好稳定性的高效稀土近红外发光杂化材料，以期为光纤通讯、激光等领域提供潜在的候选材料。围绕这一宗旨，开展了如下工作： 通过原位技术分别得到了掺杂和嫁接[Ln(dbm)3phen]化合物（Ln = Er, Nd, Yb）的杂化凝胶材料，Ln-D-P gel和Xerogel-Ln。通过对其近红外发光性能的研究，表明材料中配体能很好的保护稀土离子，并将能量有效的传递给稀土离子。采用Judd-Ofelt理论对所得部分材料进行了光谱分析，基于实验数据和理论分析表明其具有潜在的光放大和激光应用价值。 选择了两种含全氟化烷基链的β-二酮配体Hhfth和Htfnb，通过功能化的phen-Si配体，将三元配合物[Ln(hfth)3phen] (Ln = Er, Nd, Yb, Sm)和[Pr(tfnb)3phen]成功共价嫁接到介孔MCM-41和SBA-15杂化材料中，得到的衍生材料Ln(hfth)3phen–MCM-41、Pr(tfnb)3phen–MCM-41和Ln(hfth)3phen–SBA-15、Pr(tfnb)3phen–SBA-15都保持了高度有序的介孔p6mm结构，并展现出稀土离子特征的近红外发射。所得稀土配合物功能化的材料的发射光谱能完全覆盖对光通讯极具应用价值的1300-1600nm区域。 通过对Er(dbm)3phen–M41(X, Y) (X = 1~14, Y = 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 h)材料系统的比较研究，选择了X = 12, Y = 6作为合成目标材料的优化参数，通过功能化的phen-Si配体将[Ln(dbm)3phen]配合物共价嫁接于有序介孔MCM-41和SBA-15中(Ln = Er, Nd, Yb)，所得两类材料Ln(dbm)3phenM41和Ln(dbm)3phenS15都保持了很好的介孔有序性，并具有良好的近红外发光性能。通过对Ln(dbm)3phenM41和Ln(dbm)3phenS15两类材料发光行为的比较，以及两类材料中稀土离子的含量及孔结构的分析，推出以SBA-15为载体得到的材料在相对发光强度和荧光寿命上，均比以MCM-41为载体的材料有所提高。 通过对8－羟基喹啉配体进行改性，合成了具有双功能的配体Q-Si，继而合成了共价嫁接8－羟基喹啉衍生物的介孔杂化材料Q–SBA-15，其形貌均一，并具有高度有序的介孔p6mm结构。通过配体交换反应，得到了嫁接稀土喹啉配合物的具有近红外发光性能的介孔杂化材料LnQ3–SBA-15 (Ln = Er, Nd, Yb)，其仍然保持高度有序的介孔结构，且外形呈现与母体材料Q–SBA-15相似的弯曲圆柱状。激发配体的吸收，LnQ3–SBA-15材料都分别展现出相应稀土离子特征的近红外发射，并详细分析和讨论了所得介孔杂化材料的近红外发光性能。

酶生物燃料电池载体选择及其应用基础研究

酶生物燃料电池（EBFC）是利用酶作为催化剂将化学能转化为电能的装置。由于氧化还原蛋白质和酶通常具有复杂的空间结构，活性中心深埋在它们的肽链中，很难与基底电极进行直接电子传递，从而影响了电池的性能。但使用适当的载体对电极表面进行修饰，可以实现直接的、快速的电子传递。因此，开发稳定性好、成本低、能够有效促进氧化还原蛋白质或酶与基底电极进行直接电子传递的载体成为EBFC发展中的重要课题之一。 本论文主要集中于EBFC中蛋白质或酶载体的选择方面的研究。探讨不同性质的载体，包括半导体电物质、生物相容性物质和导电物质对氧化还原蛋白质或酶的直接电子传递的影响。同时以SiO2纳米粒子为例，探讨了载体促进氧化还原蛋白质直接电子传递的作用机理。通过对不同载体的考察，最终选择了一种合适的材料组装成葡萄糖/O2 EBFC，并考察了EBFC的性能。主要结果如下： 1．将SiO2纳米粒子固定在GC电极上，成功实现了细胞色素c（Cyt c）的准可逆的直接电化学反应，并在这基础上提出双功能机理模型，说明了半导体对氧化还原蛋白质和电极之间的直接电子迁移的影响。 2．发现Cyt c能够在SBA-15膜修饰的电极上实现准可逆的直接电化学反应，并能够对H2O2产生较好的电催化还原效果。 3．以生物相容性物质壳聚糖为载体，分别研究了Cyt c、微过氧化物酶（MP-11）和葡萄糖氧化酶（GOD）的准可逆的直接电化学反应。并发现固载在壳聚糖上的Cyt c和MP-11对H2O2和O2还原有很好的电催化活性，而固载在壳聚糖上的GOD对葡萄糖氧化有很好的电催化活性。 4．以碳纳米管（CNT）为载体，实现了GOD的准可逆的直接电化学反应。并在氧化还原媒介体的作用下实现了其对葡萄糖的电催化氧化。 5．将筛选出的最佳载体组装成葡萄糖/O2 EBFC，分别以葡萄糖氧化酶和漆酶作为阳极和阴极的催化剂，制得有隔膜和无隔膜的EBFC。

染料掺杂聚合物薄膜的激光行为研究

自20世纪60年代发展到现在，激光技术发展的速度十分惊人，应用的范围不断拓展，近年来随着有机/聚合物电致发光材料在有机发光二极管上的应用以及有机晶体管和有机太阳能电池的研制成功，科学家们开始了有机/聚合物材料放大自发发射和激光发射行为的研究。到目前为止，已经开发出了这种廉价、可以大面积成膜的、具有更广泛应用范围的有机/聚合物固体激光材料及光泵浦激光器。有机/聚合物激光器的出现不仅向传统激光理论提出了新的挑战，而且具有诸多潜在的应用价值。可以断言，在21世纪知识经济的大潮中，有机/聚合物激光器的研究必将推动传统学科的发展和新兴学科形成，也必将为人类带来巨大的经济效益。新的有机激光材料不断涌现、器件结构不断推陈出新、新的激发原理不断提出并得到修正已经成为有机/聚合物固体激光研究领域的三大特点。本论文进行了利用Förster能量传递对荧光染料DCJTB放大自发发射行为的优化、基于放大自发发射的红光染料DCJTB掺杂聚合物薄膜的白光发射、多孔结构对荧光染料放大自发发射行为的优化以及基于纳米结构的荧光染料DCJTB掺杂聚合物薄膜的激光行为等方面的研究工作，具体研究内容如下: 1、利用Förster能量传递理论，系统地研究了两种或三种染料共掺杂聚合物薄膜的放大自发发射（ASE）行为。研究表明，两种染料共掺杂显著改善了掺杂聚合物薄膜的ASE阈值、增益和损耗特性，而三种染料共掺杂，由于更多的Förster能量传递，使掺杂聚合物薄膜的ASE阈值、增益和损耗性能得到了进一步的改善。将Alq3和C545T两种绿光染料同时掺杂到DCJTB：PS中，通过利用Alq3和C545T同时的能量传递效应，已经使Alq3:C545T:DCJTB：PS薄膜的阈值、增益和损耗分别达到了0.007 mJ/pulse、52 cm-1和7 cm-1。 2、将红色荧光染料DCJTB掺杂到蓝色聚合物PFO中，通过控制DCJTB在PFO中的浓度，我们获得了具有放大自发发射的白光发射，当DCJTB在PFO的掺杂浓度为0.3%时显示了最好的白光ASE特性， 白光中DCJTB和PFO发射的阈值、增益和损耗分别达到了0.072 mJ pulse-1，0.035 mJ pulse-1；36.3 cm-1，22.35 cm-1和7.39 cm-1，15.88 cm-1。我们的结果表明，DCJTB掺杂聚合物PFO体系是实现ASE白光发射的有效方法，拓展了ASE的应用范围。 3、开发出了二维多孔SBA-15和三维TiO2反蛋白石光子晶体两种实现有机ASE有效发射的两种结构，通过利用有序结构的SBA-15的量子限域效应优化了蓝光染料C151的ASE阈值、增益和损耗特性，而通过利用三维TiO2反蛋白石光子晶体的量子限域效应，也使包埋其中的绿光染料C545T的ASE特性得到了明显改善。研究表明，无论是二维SBA-15多孔结构还是三维TiO2反蛋白石光子晶体结构，通过其量子限域效应都能很好地优化包埋其中的荧光染料的ASE特性，为进一步优化有机半导体的ASE特性提供了新的思路。 4、将聚苯乙烯纳米球分散到DCJTB:PS薄膜中和把DCJTB:PS薄膜旋涂在ZnO纳米柱阵列上两种方法，我们已经成功地研制出了多模随机有机激光发射器件。详细研究表明，多模随机有机激光发射特性显著地与聚苯乙烯纳米球的尺寸和浓度以及ZnO纳米柱的疏密程度密切相关，优化后的聚苯乙烯纳米球掺杂DCJTB:PS薄膜的阈值已经达到了0.06 mJ pulse-1cm-2，而ZnO纳米柱包埋DCJTB:PS薄膜的阈值达到了0.375 mJ pulse-1cm-2。我们的结果表明，聚苯乙烯纳米球和ZnO纳米柱都是实现随机有机激光的非常好的散射介质材料。

介孔材料的合成、性能以及应用

自从1992年美孚公司成功地研究开发出介孔材料M41S后，由于其具有不同寻常的结构特点-比较均一的孔径（2-50nm）而且连续可调、较高的比表面积、较大的孔体积、孔的长程有序性以及较好的热稳定性等，具有巨大的潜在应用价值，立即引起了全世界的关注。目前，世界各国的研究主要集中在研究介孔材料的特性、形成机理、介孔材料形貌、结构和孔径的控制、新一代介孔材料的研究开发、介孔材料的改性以及介孔材料的应用等方面。本论文主要在介孔材料的合成、性能以及应用方面开展了研究。选用头尾都是憎水的三嵌段共聚物为模板制备出具有三维无序虫状孔道的介孔材料和以有孔氧化铝膜为模板制备了形态可控的介孔材料，即具有介孔结构高有序纳米管。采用一步法合成了介孔Ag／silica和Y2O3：Eu／silica材料，采用基底受限法制备了银和Y2O3：Eu纳米粒子，同时研究了Ag／silic。作为催化剂时催化性能。（1）在酸性条件下，利用头尾都是憎水的三嵌段共聚物SBS为模板、TEOS为硅源，分别选用丁酮和甲苯作选择性溶剂，通过微乳技术制备出具有三维无序虫状孔道的介孔硅材料。我们通过在SBS胶束溶液中加入TEOS／水的油水混合乳液使SBS胶束与TEOS／水混合乳液之间形成一个界面，从而使TEOS这个界面上完全水解而且生成的小分子硅齐聚物包附在SBS胶束的外表面。经过加热则使TEOS凝聚同时形成具有介孔结构的SBS／硅材料。最后，通过锻烧以移除SBS，从而得到介孔硅材料。在选用甲苯作溶剂，研究发现随着SBS用量的增加或形成胶束温度的升高比表面积、孔体积和孔径等都相应减小。因此，这两个参数可以方便地调节介孔材料的孔径、表面积和孔体积等，进而更好地控制介孔材料的性能。所制备介孔材料的壁厚与SBS用量和形成胶束温度无关，且均超过IOnm，因而材料具有较好的热稳定性，这有利于其进一步在催化剂、吸附和分离等领域应用。（2）以有孔的氧化铝膜为模板制备了具有介孔结构高有序纳米管，即在加热条件下将P123一TEOS薄膜通过毛细力引入有孔的氧化铝膜孔内，同时根据优先润湿机理使P123一TEOS组分润湿氧化铝孔的内壁并同时伴随嵌段共聚物胶束的重排、TEOS组分的凝聚收缩，随后通过烧结手段除去嵌段共聚物、通过溶解手段除去氧化铝模板，这样便在硅基底上得到了形态可控的介孔材料即有序排列的具有介孔结构的纳米管。在一定时间范围内，退火时间对纳米管的形成和生长高度有一定的影响。纳米管垂直于硅基底且纳米管套内的介孔以六方形式排列在整个纳米管套同时介孔孔道相互平行，所制备的纳米管能保持受限在氧化铝模板时的尺寸而且稳定地粘附在硅基底上。（3）在酸性条件下，采用一步法即在模板剂（P123）形成胶束之后，加入硝酸银或氧化铺和氧化忆混合物同P123胶束形成新的复合体，随后加入硅源（TEOS）以包附在复合体的外表面，从而形成具有介孔相的复合物，通过热处理我们分别制备了高有序的具有二维六方结构的介孔Ag／silica和Y203：Eu／silica材料，其中金属银或YZO3：Eu纳米粒子分散在有序的介孔孔道内。二者的比表面积、孔体积和孔径分别为786m2／g、1．22cm3／g、6．Znm和791m2／g、0．95cm3／g、3．snm。另外，我们采用基底受限法，利用旋涂法分别使介孔Ag／silica和YZO3：E记silica材料分散在硅基底上，通过溶解法除去硅墙后便得到了没有聚集的且具有狭窄粒径分布的金属银（2．5-5．snm）和姚03：Eu（1．5-3．onm）纳米粒子。原子力显微镜（AFM）证实所得到的纳米粒子呈现良好的分散状态，具有狭窄的粒径分布而且粒子尺寸都小于其介孔材料孔径。（4）分别用一步法制备的介孔Ag／SBA－－15材料和金属银作为甲醇氧化制备甲醛反应的催化剂，利用甲醇转化率表示催化剂活性、甲醛和二氧化碳产率表示催化剂选择性来研究二者催化性能。由于具有高的比表面积（786扩／g）、较大的孔体积（1．22cm3／g）、较大的孔径（6．2nm）、狭窄的孔径分布和有序的介孔孔洞等特性，在反应温度473K-723K范围内，同本体银作催化剂相比尽管银仅占体系总重量的0．94wt％，介孔Ag／silic。材料却显示出极高的催化活性和催化选择性。

Fabrication, characterization of spherical CaWO4:Ln@MCM-41(Ln=Eu3+, Dy3+, Sm3+, Er3+) composites and their applications as drug release systems

Spherical MCM-41 particles with a diameter of about 150 nm have been successfully coated with CaWO4:Ln (Ln = Eu3+, Dy3+, Sm3+, Er3+) phosphor layers through a simple Pechini sol-gel process. The obtained CaWO4:Ln@MCM-41 composites, which kept the mesoporous structure of MCM-41 and the luminescent properties of phosphors, were investigated as a drug delivery system using aspirin (ASPL) as a model drug.

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic properties of chiral BINOL functionalized mesoporous silicas for enantioselective Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction

Several Chiral BINOL functionalized mesoporous silicas were prepared by post grafting of organosilane derivatives of (S)-BINOL (1,1'-bi-2-naphthol) on SBA-15 and characterized by C-13 CP/MAS NMR, FT-IR, UV-visible absorption spectra, elemental analysis, powder XRD, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms and TEM techniques. Their catalytic properties were demonstrated in enantioselective Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction of 3-phenylpropanal and cyclohexenone.

Luminescence functionalization of mesoporous silica with different morphologies and applications as drug delivery systems

Ordered mesoporous silica (MCM-41) particles with different morphologies were synthesized through a simple hydrothermal process. Then these silica particles were functionalized with luminescent YVO4:EU3+ layers via the Pechini sol-gel process. The obtained YVO4:Eu3+ and MCM-41 composites, which maintained the mesoporous structure of MCM-41 and the red luminescence property of YVO4:Eu3+ were investigated as drug delivery systems using ibuprofen (IBU) as model drug. The physicochemical properties of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N-2 adsorption, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, respectively.

Synthesis, characterization, and near-infrared luminescent properties of the ternary thulium complex covalently bonded to mesoporous MCM-41

The crystal structure of a ternary Tm(DBM)(3)phen complex (DBM - dibenzoylmethane; phen = 1. 10-phenanthroline) and the synthesis of hybrid mesoporous material in which the complex covalently bonded to mesoporous MCM-41 are reported. Crystal data: Tm(DBM)(3)phen C59H47N2O7Tm, monoclinic P21/c, a = 19.3216(12) A, b = 10.6691(7) A, c = 23.0165(15)A, alpha = 90, beta = 91.6330(10), gamma = 90, V = 4742.8(5) A(3), Z = 4. The properties of the Tm(DBM)(3)phen complex and the corresponding hybrid mesoporous material [Tm(DBM)(3)phen-MCM-41] have been studied. The results reveal that the Tm(DBM)(3)phen complex is successfully covalently bonded to MCM-41.

Direct synthesis of ordered N-methylimidazolium functionalized mesoporous silica as highly efficient anion exchanger of Cr(VI)

Ordered N-methylimidazolium functionalized mesoporous silica (SBA-15) anion exchangers were directly synthesized by co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane with 1-methyl-3(triethoxysilylpropyl)imidazolium chloride. The prepared samples with rod-like morphology showed high surface areas (> 400 m(2) g(-1)), well-ordered pores (> 58 angstrom), and excellent thermal stability up to 387 degrees C. The adsorption behaviors of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution on the anion exchangers were studied using the batch method. The anion exchangers had high adsorption capacity ranging from 50.8 to 90.5 mg g(-1), over a wider pH range (1-8) than amino functionalized mesoporous silica. The adsorption rate was fast, and the maximum adsorption was obtained at pH 4.6. The adsorption data for the anion exchangers were consistent with the Langmuir isotherm equation. Most active sites of the anion exchangers were easily accessible. The mixed solution of 0.1 mol L-1 NH3 center dot H2O and 0.5 mol L-1 NH4Cl was effective desorption solution, and 95% of Cr(VI) could be desorbed.

MCM-41 functionalized with YVO4 : Eu3+: a novel drug delivery system

Luminescence functionalization of ordered mesoporous MCM-41 silica was realized by depositing a YVO4:Eu3+ phosphor layer on its surface via the Pechini sol-gel process. This material, which combines the mesoporous structure of MCM-41 and the strong red luminescence property of YVO4: Eu3+, has been studied as a host carrier for drug delivery/release systems. The structure, morphology, texture and optical properties of the materials were well characterized by x-ray diffraction ( XRD), Fourier infrared spectroscopy ( FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy ( TEM), N-2 adsorption and photoluminescence ( PL) spectra. The results indicated that the specific surface area and pore volume of MCM-41, which were directly correlated to the drug-loading amount and ibuprofen ( IBU) release rate, decreased in sequence after deposition of YVO4:Eu3+ and loading of IBU as expected. The IBU-loaded YVO4:Eu3+@ MCM-41 system still showed red luminescence under UV irradiation ( 365 nm) and a controlled release property for IBU. In addition, the emission intensity of Eu3+ increases with an increase in the cumulative released amount of IBU, making the extent of drug release easily identified, tracked and monitored by the change of luminescence, which demonstrates its potential application in drug delivery/release systems.

Synthesis and characterization of functionalized mesoporous silica by aerosol-assisted self-assembly

An efficient, productive, and low-cost aerosol-assisted self-assembly process has been developed to produce organically modified mesoporous silica particles via a direct co-condensation of silicate species and organosilicates that contain nonhydrolyzable functional groups in the presence of templating surfactant molecules. Different surfactants including cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, nonionic surfactant Brij-56, and triblock copolymer P123 have been used as the structure-directing agents. The organosilanes used in this study include tridecafluoro-1, 1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyltriethoxysilane, methytriethoxysilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane, and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies indicate the formation of particles with various mesostructures. Fourier transform infrared and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectra confirm the organic ligands are covalently bound to the surface of the silica framework. The porosity, pore size, and surface area of the particles were characterized using nitrogen adsorption and desorption measurements.