Layered organosilicate nanoparticles with liquidlike behavior

A novel route for the preparation of meltable, structurally stable layered nanoparticles that can be dispersed in organic media, which are derived from the controlled hydrolytic polymerization and assembly of octadecyltrichlorosilane in toluene are investigated. A new class of layered hybrids that are dispersible in common organic solvents and which reversibly undergo to solid-to-liquid transition at low temperature have been introduced. The method is simple and of high yield and produces layered hybrids that reversibly melt at relatively low temperatures to give colorless, transparent oils of low viscosity. The hydrolytic polymerization of the trichlorosilane is sensitive to temperature and water content. The results show that the hybrids are solid like at room temperature but they reversibly undergo a solid-to-liquid transition above temperature ≈ 55°C, while in the solid state they exhibit a multilayer structure of alternating organic/inorganic layers.