A well-defined mesoporous amine silica surface via a selective treatment of SBA-15 with ammonia

Abstract

2D double-quantum 1H-1H NMR unambiguously shows that the “isolated”≡Si-OH surface silanols of dehydroxylated SBA-15 are converted upon treatment with ammonia into single silylamine surface site ≡Si-NH2. The “gem” di-silanols (=Si(OH)2) remain intact. Treatment using HMDS produces (=Si(OSiMe3)2) but leaves ≡Si-NH2 untouched. The resulting surface is hydrophobic and stable. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry.