Methacrylated self-organizing 2,3,4-tris(alkoxy)benzenesulfonate: A new concept toward ion-selective membranes

摘要

The synthesis of 2,3,4-tris(11'-methacryloylundecyl-1'-oxy) benzenesulfonic acid and its sodium salt is described. The thermal behavior of the compounds was investigated by a combination of polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The sodium salt forms a hexagonal columnar disordered phase (Col(hd)), whereas the acid is a crystalline compound. X-ray scattering analysis and force-field-based molecular modeling provided insight into the molecular arrangement in the mesophase. The sulfonate groups are confined in the center of the columns, preforming a potential ion-transport channel along the column axis. Thin films of the sodium sulfonate were photopolymerized in the mesomorphous state, yielding free-standing foils with embedded potential ion channels.