(tio2@tio2)n@pmo/bipy-il sun-light photocatalyst for oxidative formic acid decomposition

A bridge dimeric organic functional group viologen pmos synthesized via layer by layer growth on titania (tio2) has been unprecedently prepared as stable periodic mesoporous organosilica using surfactant under mild acidic conditions. the layer by layer tio2 incorporation within the prepared organic functional group viologen-pmo could successfully develop a new type of hybrid photo-oxidation system for the mineralization of formic acid under sunlight irradiation conditions [1].periodic mesoporous organosilicas (pmos) with an organic-inorganic hybrid framework have shown improved catalytic and photocatalytic properties in comparison to other materials 1-2. these hybrid structures possess some obvious advantages over porous sol-gel derived or grafted hybrid materials such as highly ordered structures with very uniform pores, high loadings, and homogeneous distribution of functional groups throughout the whole framework 2. however, despite the unique characteristic of pmos, their impact as supports in photo-catalytic systems for environmentalapplications has been unexplored to date. recently, our group has explored several pmo and pmo-type hybrid supports for encapsulation of transition metal nanoparticles and organic functional groups for catalytic aims. we have also reported the synthesis and encapsulation of pd nanoparticles for fa decompositions. in this project, we present the synthesis and use of pmo with bridge organic functional group viologen as a dimeric skeleton and novel support for layer by layer growth of amorphous tio2. we also demonstrate the ability of this material in a selective photo-oxidation of fa under sunlight conditions.