Facile Modification of Surface of Silica Particles with Organosilanepolyol and Their Characterization

The surface modification of silica particles (SPs) was systemically conducted by the treatment of 0.1-10 wt % phenylsilanetriol (PST) on the basis of SPs used through two step processes: 1) the PST coating of SPs via evaporation under reduced pressure and 2) their thermal condensation leading to Si-O-Si bond formation via heating at $130^{\circ}C$. The evaluation of the modified SPs was conducted by the simple floating test on water and the measurement of the contact angle (CA) of water droplet on the 2-dimensional layer of modified SPs on slide glass. When PST was used about 2 wt % or above on the basis of SPs (about average size: 50 nm) used, the modified SPs were fully floated on the water and all dispersed into upper organic solvent layer after a shaking with the mixture of the water and benzene, indicating that the modified SPs have hydrophobic properties. The modified SPs were characterized by $^{29}Si$ MAS NMR and physicochemical properties including SEM, TEM, BET, adsorption/desorption isotherms, etc. were measured and compared each other in details. This research demonstrates that the organosilanetriol is a good modifier applicable for the surface modification of inorganic oxide particles using a low amount of modifier on the basis of oxide particles used.