Structure and magnetic properties of SiO2/PCL novel sol–gel organic–inorganic hybrid materials

• Published in: Journal of solid state chemistry Vol. 203; pp. 92 - 99
• Main Authors: Catauro, Michelina, Bollino, Flavia, Cristina Mozzati, Maria, Ferrara, Chiara, Mustarelli, Piercarlo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.07.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Growth in microgravity environments; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; Organic–inorganic hybrid; Physics; Solid-state NMR; Sol–gel; SQUID magnetometry; Solid-state NMR; SQUID magnetometry; Sol–gel; Organic–inorganic hybrid; Atomic force microscopy; Hybrid material; XRD; Nanostructures; Quantum interference devices; Magnetic susceptibility; Sol―gel; SQUID devices; Magnetometry; Hydrogen bonds; Diamagnetic materials; Topography; Magnetic structure; Silicon; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Fourier-transformed infrared spectrometry; Polymers; Polycaprolactone; Microgravity; Sol-gel process; Diamagnetism; Magnetic properties; Scanning electron microscopy; Magnetization; Organic-inorganic hybrid; Solid state; Organic-inorganic hybrid materials; Nanocomposites; Silicon oxides; Morphology; Microstructure; Magnetic levitation
• ISSN: 0022-4596; 1095-726X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2013.04.014

Organic–inorganic nanocomposite materials have been synthesized via sol–gel. They consist of an inorganic SiO2 matrix, in which different percentages of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) have been incorporated. The formation of H-bonds among the carbonyl groups of the polymer chains and Si–OH group of the inorganic matrix has been proved by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis and has been confirmed by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis highlighted the amorphous nature of the synthesized materials. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph and atomic force microscope (AFM) topography showed their homogeneous morphology and nanostructure nature. Considering the opportunity to synthesize these hybrid materials under microgravity conditions by means of magnetic levitation, superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry has been used to quantify their magnetic susceptibility. This measure has shown that the SiO2/PCL hybrid materials are diamagnetic and that their diamagnetic susceptibility is independent of temperature and increases with the PCL amount. Characterization and magnetic properties of SiO2/PCL organic–inorganic hybrid materials synthesized via sol–gel. FT-IR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; solid-state NMR: solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance; SQUID: superconducting quantum interference device. [Display omitted] •Sol–gel synthesis of SiO2/PCL amorphous class I organic–inorganic hybrid materials.•FT-IR and NMR analyses show the hydrogen bonds formation between SiO2 and PCL.•AFM and SEM analyses confirm that the SiO2/PCL are homogenous hybrid materials.•The SQUID measures show that the simples are diamagnetic.•Diamagnetic susceptibility of SiO2/PCL materials increases with the PCL amount.