Controlled synthesis and osmotic properties of ionosilica nanoparticles

Ionosilica nanoparticles are original ionic nano-objects at the interface of liquids and mesoporous silica. nanoparticles' synthesis was achieved via sol-gel procedures exclusively from trialkoxysilylated precursors without any silica source. However, knowledge about main parameters for a controlled ionosilica remained fragmental so far. In this work, we present systematic study nanoparticle formation starting virtually cationic silylated ammonium precursor. Due to their nature, behavior considerably differs that conventional molecular precursors. Here, screened several reaction nanoparticles’ such as solvent polarity, precursor surfactant concentrations, temperature. Our results allow controlling textures architectures in terms porosity (specific surface area) particle size. The formed were thoroughly characterized by means nitrogen sorption, elemental analysis, electron microscopies, dynamic light scattering (DLS), solid state NMR measurements. Liquid 1H spectroscopic measurements allowed monitoring kinetics hydrolysis-polycondensation reactions. It appeared hydrolysis is relatively fast (30–120 min) whereas polycondensation requires more time (1–2 days). Finally, used Forward Osmosis (FO-) experiments valuable tool monitor possible evolution aqueous media. We observed showed decreasing osmotic properties successive FO-regeneration cycles. attribute these either exchange osmotically active halide anions or agglomeration. therefore show limited long-term stability media limit potential draw solute forward osmosis.