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Abstract
The synthesis, analysis, and effect on solvent uptake of styrene, alcohol, amino, and perfluoro functionalized silsesquioxane-azobenzene hybrid gels are discussed. 4,4’-diallyloxyazobenzene and octa(dimethylsiloxy)silsesquioxane (Q8M8H) sol-gels are generated using hydrosilylation chemistry. These gels were modified through two routes: in-situ and post modification depending on the compatibility of the modifiers. The gel systems are dynamic, reacting to visible and UV light to expand and contract, giving them sponge-like properties. The effects on their solvent uptake load and preference for various pollutants are detailed below and general characteristics are illustrated through FTIR, TGA, and SEM imaging. We find that selectivity for certain substances can be obtained, but at the cost of total absorptivity of the gel systems.
