Direct synthesis of mesoporous hybrid organic-inorganic silica powders and thin films for potential non linear optic applications

Abstract

Powders of mesoporous organosilica functionalized with a Non Linear Optical chromophore in the channel pore (azobenzene diethylphosphonate) were achieved in one step and were synthesized by templated-directed co-condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and the functional organotriethoxysilanes. The materials were characterized by 13C, 31P and 29Si NMR experiments, nitrogen gas adsorption, powder X-ray diffractrion (XRD). Optically transparent and highly ordered multifunctional mesostructured films obtained by evaporation induced self-assembly (EISA) approach were deposited on glass or silicon substrates by dip-coating. Thin films were monofunctionalized in the channel pores or bifunctionalized (channel pore/framework) and allow us to evidence the salt effect induced by an organometallic complex on the structure of the mesostructured film. They were characterized by Grazing Incidence Small Angle X-ray Scattering (GISAXS) and X-ray reflectivit