Schiff base funcionalized silica nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanoscience and nanotechnology is rapidly spreading thought important areas of modern society and has attracting the attention of researchers. Synthesis of silica nanoparticles has being of great interest of investigation due to its potential application in industry and pharmaceutical products. Therefore, many studies have being conducted on synthesis and functionalization of silica nanoparticles, allowing the preparation of hybrid compounds (junction of part organic and part inorganic). Such hybrid materials have a wide range of application as chemical sensors, optical systems, biomaterials, catalysis, recovering, chromatograph, cellular imaging, composits, and so on. It is all possible because the organic/inorganic junction allows such materials chemical and thermal stability and good optical properties. The silicon atom is able to form a very stable covalent bond with organic carbon atom, allowing the attachment of any organic function on the surface of silica particles. Specifically, in this work we will focus in the preparation of silica nanoparticles by the sol-gel method and its functionalization with a silicon alkoxide to form a chelant group on the silica surface. These particles may be used as new multifunctional material, allowing the complexation of rare earth or heavy transition metal ions. Our aim is to establish a protocol to synthesize silica nanoparticles and functionalizes its surface with a Schiff. (AU)