One-Pot Synthesis and Surfactant Removal from MCM-41 Using Microwave Irradiation.

This research pioneers the application of microwave irradiation as an innovative strategy for one-pot synthesis and surfactant elimination (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-CTAB) from MCM-41, introducing a rapid and efficient methodology. MCM-41 silica is widely utilized in various applications due to its unique textural and structural properties. Nonetheless, the presence of residual surfactants after synthesis poses a challenge to its effective application. MCM-41 synthesis, conducted in a microwave reactor at 60 °C, provided a result within 0.5 to 1 h. Comprehensive analyses of structural, chemical, morphological, and surface characteristics were undertaken, with a focus on the impact of synthesis time on these properties. Surfactant extraction involved the use of ethanol as a solvent at 120 °C for 6 min within the microwave reactor. The acquired particles, coupled with the properties of textural and structural features, affirmed the efficacy of the synthesis process, resulting in the synthesis of MCM-41 within 36 min. This study presents the first instance of one-pot synthesis and surfactant removal from MCM-41 using a microwave reactor. The proposed method not only addresses the surfactant removal challenge, but also substantially accelerates the synthesis process, thereby enhancing the potential for MCM-41's application in diverse fields.

Preparation, characterization and activity of CuZn and Cu2 superoxide dismutase mimics encapsulated in mesoporous silica.

Encapsulation of three superoxide dismutase (SOD) functional mimics, [CuZn(dien)2(µ-Im)(ClO4)2]ClO4 (1), [Cu2(dien)2(µ-Im)(ClO4)2]ClO4 (2) (Im = imidazolate, dien = diethylenetriamine), and [CuZn(salpn)Cl2] (3) (H2salpn = 1,3-bis(salicylideneamino)propane) in mesoporous MCM-41 silica afforded three hybrid catalysts 1@MCM-41, 2@MCM-41 and 3@MCM-41. Spectroscopic and magnetic analyses of these materials confirmed the metal centers of the complexes keep the coordination sphere after insertion into the MCM-41 silica matrix. For the imidazolate-bridged complexes the silica channels restraint the relative orientation of the two metal ions. While 3@MCM-41 shows SOD activity significantly lower than the host-free complex, insertion of the imidazolate-bridged CuZn or Cu2 complexes by ion exchange onto mesoporous MCM-41 silica affords durable and recoverable supported catalysts with much better SOD activity than the free complexes. For confined imidazolate-bridged complexes, 1@MCM-41 and 2@MCM-41, the small pore size of the silica matrix improves the SOD activity more than a host with larger pores. This high SOD activity is attributed to the close-fitting of the complexes into the nanochannels of MCM-41 silica that favors the Cu active site and HImZn(or Cu) group stay in close proximity during catalysis.