Dendrimers as building blocks for nanostructured materials: Micro- and mesoporosity in dendrimer-based xerogels

Second and third generation silylalkoxy-terminated carbosilane dendrimers have been used to make high surface area xerogels via an acid-catalyzed sol-gel protocol. These xerogels are micro- and mesoporous and contain a high degree of -OH functionality. An unexpected xerogel surface area is described. These xerogels may have applications as (for example) catalyst supports and porous membranes.