Functionalization of mesoporous MCM-41 with aminopropyl groups by co-condensation and grafting: a physico-chemical characterization

This work reports on the synthesis and characterization of NH2-MCM-41, a well-known hybrid material commonly used in biomedical and biotechnological applications, based on mesoporous silica and aminopropyl functionalities. Samples were prepared by post-synthesis grafting and by one-pot co-condensation methods, to achieve a relatively high organic loading (around 12% wt), and were characterized in terms of porosity, thermal stability and distribution of the aminopropyl moieties in the silica framework. The results suggest that grafting brings about an almost complete consumption of surface silanols, with structurally defined functional groups mainly located inside the material pores. In contrast, co-condensation results in lower surface area and thermal stability, with ink-bottle-like pores. This suggests that the aminopropyl groups are not only linked to the pores inner surface but could be located in the pore walls or at their entrance.