Periodic mesoporous silica-based organic - Inorganic nanocomposite materials

The area of periodic mesoporous materials prepared by cooperative assembly in the presence of amphiphile molecules underwent dramatic growth. Among th e silica-based materials, many types may be regarded as ordered organic-ino rganic nanocomposites. These were divided into five categories: (i) noncalc ined amphiphile/silica mesophases, (ii) mesoporous silicas with organically modified surfaces, (iii) expanded mesoporous silicas, (iv) mesoporous orga nosilicates, and (v) mesoporous silica with occluded organic materials such as polymers. The diversity of such nanocomposites created new potential op portunities in materials sciences, catalysis, separation, and environmental remediation. These applications involved the development of new chemistry not only within the confined pores and channels but also on functionalized surfaces as well as within the channels walls. The current review deals wit h recent progress in the synthesis, characterization, and applications of e ach of these types of periodic mesoporous silica-based hybrid materials.