Syntheses of mesoporous hybrid iron oxophenyl phosphate, iron oxophosphate, and sulfonated oxophenyl phosphate

A novel organic-inorganic hybrid mesoporous iron oxophenyl phosphate has been synthesized by using supramolecular assembly of sodium dodecyl sulfate molecules. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopic studies, and N₂ adsorption data indicated the wormhole-like disordered mesostructure in this sample. The ¹³C and ³¹P MAS NMR, FT IR, UV-visible spectroscopic data, and chemical analysis results indicated that all P atoms are attached to phenyl groups directly and combined with Fe atoms through O atoms. Calcination of this hybrid material produced organic-free mesoporous iron oxophosphate material, whereas sulfonation of the mesoporous iron oxophenyl phosphate resulted in sulfonated oxophenyl phosphate. The latter showed outstanding proton conductivity, which could be utilized in membrane or supports of anode and cathode materials in fuel cells.