History and Classification of Non-Siliceous Hybrid Materials - Mesoporous Organic-Inorganic Non-Siliceous Hybrid Materials - page 7

Chapter 2
History and Classification of Non-Siliceous
Hybrid Materials

Abstract The exploration and creation of advanced materials make vital contributions
to the development of human civilization. In other words, the human history is the
unceasing innovation of materials since the ancient times. Indeed, our living sys-
tem, Mother Nature, has provided us plenty of amazing presents such as water, food,
and pristine tools. Among them, hybrid materials have gradually received our inter-
est owing to the fantastic physicochemical properties constructed from the intimately
integrated organic and inorganic units. Noticeably, the exploration concerning the
“organic-inorganic hybrid materials” did have a long history. The establishment of
a research system started in the middle of last century. With the rapid development
of science and technology, the cognition of hybrid materials can indeed reach the
molecular level. Furthermore, organic-inorganic hybrids gradually play vital roles in
scientific research, industrial production, and even our daily life. Therefore, it is quite
necessary to present the history and development of hybrid materials.

Keywords Classification of hybrid materials · Non-siliceous · Metal phosphonates ·
Metal sulfonates · Metal carboxylates

2.1 Brief History of Hybrid Materials

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials are typically described as the intimate integra-
tion of organic and inorganic moieties at the molecular scale and thus fall within
the category of nanocomposite material. Indeed, nature provides suitable condi-
tions for the generation of organic-inorganic hybrids such as mollusk shells,
crustacean carapaces, and bone [ 1 ]. Deliberate efforts to combine the favorable
properties of inorganic units and organic moieties in a single composite mate-
rial represent an old challenge that started at the beginning of the industrial era.
However, the first hybrid material made by humanity appeared only very recently
at the geologic time scale. Because of the inherited natural availability and the
intrinsic properties including adsorption capability, ion-exchange ability, and