The present invention relates generally to hybrid organic-inorganic
adsorbents for decontamination of fluids. Bridged poysilsesquioxanes are
a family of hybrid organic-inorganic materials prepared by sol-gel
processing of monomers that contain a variable organic bridging group and
two or more trifunctional silyl groups. Specifically, the present
invention relates to dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged
polysilsesquioxane compositions, methods of making
dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes, and
methods of use of dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged
polysilsesquioxanes. The present invention discloses properties of
dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes that
include high ligand loading, increased surface area, and increased
porosity. These properties make dipropylenedisulfide-co-phenylene-bridged
polysilsesquioxanes excellent adsorbents for decontamination of fluids
for use in environmental and industrial processes.