A poly(propylene imine) (DAB-Am-64) dendrimer as Cu²⁺ chelator for the synthesis of copper oxide clusters embedded in sol-gel derived matrixes

The fifth generation poly(propylene)imine dendrimer (DAB-Am-64) was used as a macrochelating agent to produce well-dispersed CuO nanoclusters embedded in a silica solgel derived matrix. Several characterization methods, including X-ray absorption and diffuse reflectance Fourier transform IR spectroscopies, temperature-programmed oxidation, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction, were used for the characterization of the materials. The presence of Cu was found to catalyze the oxidative removal of the dendrimer guest from the silica matrix. The proposed synthetic method, which is expected to be useful for a range of transition metal (e.g., Cu, Ni, Co, Pd, Pt, and Zn) ions with some affinity for amine-type ligands, is viewed as particularly suitable for the synthesis of model supported catalysts and materials with unusual magnetic and optical properties.