Cupric Ion Species in Cu(II)-Exchanged Mesoporous MCM-41 Gallosilicate Determined by Electron Spin Resonance Studies

Mesoporous MCM-41 gallosilicate material was synthesized through shifting through shifting gallosilicate polymer equilibrium towards a MCM-41 phase by addition of acid. The location of Cu(II) exchanged into MCM-41 and its interaction with various adsorbate molecules were investigated by electron spin responance and electron spin echo modulation spectroscopies. It was found that in the fresh hydrated material, Cu(II) is octahedrally coordinated to six water molecules. This species is located in a cylindrical channel and rotates rapidly at room temperature. Evacuation at room temperature removes three of these water molecules, leaving the Cu (II) coordinated to three water molecules and anchored to oxygens in the channel wall. Dehydration at 45$0^{\circ}C$ produces one Cu (II) species located in the inner surface of a channel as evidenced by broadening of its ESR lines by oxygen. Adsorption of polar molecules such as water, methanol and ammonia on dehydrated CuNa-MCM-41 gallosilicate material causes changes in the ESR spectrum of Cu (II), indicating the complex formation with these adsorbates. Cu (II) forms a complex with six molecules of methanol as evidenced by an isotropic room temperature ESR signal and ESEM data like upon water adsorption. Cu(II) also forms a complex containing four molecules of ammonia based on resolved nitrogen superhyperfine interaction.