Proton-conducting solid electrolyte via ozonolysis of cationic ammonium organoalkoxysilane surfactant-templated MCM-41

The enhancement of proton conductivity in solid electrolytes by the synthesis of densely packed carboxylic acid groups via the ozonolysis of cationic ammonium organoalkoxysilane surfactant templated MCM-41 was analyzed. These modified surfactants have a siloxane head group capable of being incorporated in to the pore walls during the assembly of the mesoporous structure and a cleavable olefin unit embedded within the hydrophobic surfactant tail to generate the desired acid group after MCM-41 formation. This approach by using assembly mechanism will place the organic groups on the inner pore walls of MCM-41 at a high loading unattainable by either grafting or co-condensation. The structural details of the functional surfactants and pendent acid chain upon ozonolysis in the MCM-41 materials were investigated by 13C cross polarization magic angle spinning NMR. Results show the use of a newly synthesized surfactant toward the synthesis of MCM-41.