Charge Separation in a Multifunctionalized Framework of Hydrogen-Bonded Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica

Integration of functional molecular parts into nanoporous materials in a state that allows intermolecular charge or energy transfer is one of the key approaches to the development of photofunctional and electroactive materials. Herein, we report charge separation in a functionalized framework of a periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) self-assembled by hydrogen bonds. Electroactive pi-conjugated organic species with different electron-donating and electron-accepting properties were selectively fixed onto the external surface of a nanoparticulate PMO, within the pore wall, and onto the surface of the internal mesopore. UV irradiation of the modified PMO resulted in photoinduced electron transfer and charge separation from the external surface to the pore wall and from the pore wall to the surface of the internal mesopores. These results suggest the high potential of multifunctionalized PMOs in the construction of photocatalytic reaction fields.