Preparation of C60-silica hybrid monolith by sol-gel process

A C-60-silica hybrid monolith was prepared by the hydrosilylation of C-60 in the presence of platinum catalyst followed by sol-gel process with tetraethoxysilane. The hydrosilylation with trichlorosilane, triethoxysilane, chlorodiphenylsilane, and dichlorophenylsilane gave silylated C(60)s as a brown pasty liquid. The formula was estimated to be C-60{Si(OEt)(3)}(2.6)H-2.6 or C-60(SiPh2Cl)(3.2)H-3.2 based on the proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum. A C-60-silica hybrid gel monolith was obtained by sol-gel process of the silylates and tetraethoxysilane in ethanol followed by aging for 3 weeks at room temperature. The monolith was brown and transparent with a diameter of 25 mm. On the other hand, the sol-gel reaction of tetraethoxysilane, trimethoxyphenylsilane, and C-60 provided a heterogeneous gel with a phase separation of C-60.