High-resolution 29Si solid-state NMR study of silicon functionality distribution on the surface of silicas

29Si solid-state NMR allows us to distinguish silicon atoms involved in siloxane bridges (Q4), single silanol (Q3) and geminal silanol groups (Q2) on the surface of silica. The relative proportions of each species can be obtained by Magic Angle Spinning (MAS) associated with 1H → 29Si crosspolarization (CPMAS). This preliminary study deals with the silicon functionality of MCM-41, a purely siliceous, amorphous and mesoporous silica. From the 29Si spectra the relative proportions are estimated to be 3.7% Q2 27.3% Q3 and 69.0% Q4, while the ratio Q2(Q2 + Q3) is 0.12. These results are found to be in perfect agreement with a binomial probability distribution of sites.