PNNL

Abstract

The binding of various anions to cationic transition metal complexes lining the pores of mesoporous silica is characterized and correlated to anion basicity. By lining the pore surfaces of mesoporous silica with self-assembled monolayer of organosilanes terminated with chemically selective ligands, a powerful new class of heavy metal sorbents has been realized, called self-assembled monolayers on mesoporous supports (SAMMS) [1-18]. When this interfacial functionality is composed of cationic transition metal complexes, a valuable new class of anion exchange material came into being [19]. Yoshitake and co-workers, have extended this concept to include other transition metal cations in similar cationic complexes inside mesoporous silica [20-23]. Other amine-based ligands (including polymer-based systems) were also explored, and the highest binding capacity was found with the diethylenetriamine ligand [20]. This synthetic strategy allows the chemist to easily modify both the metal center and ligand field, thereby tailoring chemical selectivity at multiple levels.