Interactions between poly(ethylene oxide)-based surfactants and transition metal alkoxides: their role in the templated construction of mesostructured hybrid organic-inorganic composites

The interactions between PEG-based templates and metallic centres are key in the synthesis of mesostructured materials. In low-water-content media, strong chelation between metal centres and the non-ionic polar heads leads to polymer unfolding, and thus to worm-like phases. Larger quantities of water and acid added to the reaction bath weaken the coordination bonds that compose the hybrid interface. These resulting weak interactions (mainly hydrogen bonding) help the folding of the templating agents, and yield more ordered mesophases.