Novel acridone-modified MCM-41 type silica: Synthesis, characterization and fluorescence tuning

A Mobil Composition of Matter (MCM)-41 type mesoporous silica material containing N-propylacridone groups has been successfully prepared by co-condensation of an appropriate organic precursor with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) under alkaline sol–gel conditions. The resulting material was fully characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), N(2)-adsorption–desorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), IR and UV–vis spectroscopy, as well as (29)Si and (13)C CP-MAS NMR techniques. The material features a high inner surface area and a highly ordered two-dimensional hexagonal pore structure. The fluorescence properties of the organic chromophore can be tuned via complexation of its carbonyl group with scandium triflate, which makes the material a good candidate for solid state sensors and optics. The successful synthesis of highly ordered MCM materials through co-condensation was found to be dependent on the chemical interaction of the different precursors.