Ultralight mesoporous magnetic frameworks by interfacial assembly of Prussian blue nanocubes

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2014 Mar 10;53(11):2888-92. doi: 10.1002/anie.201308625. Epub 2014 Feb 12.

Abstract

A facile approach for the synthesis of ultralight iron oxide hierarchical structures with tailorable macro- and mesoporosity is reported. This method entails the growth of porous Prussian blue (PB) single crystals on the surface of a polyurethane sponge, followed by in situ thermal conversion of PB crystals into three-dimensional mesoporous iron oxide (3DMI) architectures. Compared to previously reported ultralight materials, the 3DMI architectures possess hierarchical macro- and mesoporous frameworks with multiple advantageous features, including high surface area (ca. 117 m(2) g(-1)) and ultralow density (6-11 mg cm(-3)). Furthermore, they can be synthesized on a kilogram scale. More importantly, these 3DMI structures exhibit superparamagnetism and tunable hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, thus allowing for efficient multiphase interfacial adsorption and fast multiphase catalysis.

Keywords: adsorption; catalysis; magnetic properties; mesoporous materials; ultralight materials.