Acidichromic spiropyran-functionalized mesoporous silica: Towards stimuli-responsive metal ion separations media

An acidichromic silyl spiropyran was synthesized and covalently immobilized on the surface of mesoporous silica (SBA-15) through either post-modification or a co-condensation route. The integration of the spiropyran into the porous silica was probed by thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen adsorption/desorption studies and UV-Vis optical spectroscopy. While the co-condensation route provides the higher spiropyran loading levels, it also leads to two different states of attachment. Both synthetic procedures favor the formation of the open, merocyanine form of the spiropyran within the framework, but this form can be readily switched from a protonated to a deprotonated state by treatment with buffered aqueous solutions. Preliminary evaluation of the metal ion sorption capabilities of the spiro-functionalized SBA-15 for selected monovalent, divalent, and trivalent metal ions indicates that the spiropyran-modified materials show modestly improved cation exchange characteristics versus the unfunctionalized mesoporous framework.