E' paramagnetic centers in nanoporous synthetic opals - a probe for near surface protons

The studies of chemical processes in spatially confined conditions are of interest from the fundamental and industrial points of view. By means of the W band EPR and 1H Mims electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) we show that the radiation-induced paramagnetic centers (E') in the synthetic nanoporous silica opals could be used as sensitive probes to investigate the surface modification and, potentially, reactions of polymerization in the confined by opal pores.