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A novel method for surface modification of nanoparticles based on control of charge environment

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Abstract

A novel procedure for surface modification of SiO2 nanoparticles is described. Tetraoctylammonium bromide was introduced to modification system for the purpose of controlling the surface charge environment of SiO2 nanoparticles. Then, the SiO2 nanoparticles were treated with the coupling agents firstly, followed by radical grafting polymerization in non-aqueous system to graft Poly (methyl methacrylate) chains onto the surface of modified SiO2 nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectra, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance were used to characterize the modification effect of SiO2 nanoparticles. The results indicated that the method we described is an effective way to modify the surface of nanoparticles. And the morphology and characteristic of SiO2 nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), quasielastic laser light scattering (QELS), dynamic contact angle. The results of TEM and QELS demonstrated that nanosilica with an average size of 85.8 nm was prepared. The reduction of the contact angle indicated the increase in hydrophobicity of nanosilica. The result of controlling the surface charge environment of SiO2 nanoparticles was characterized by zeta potential. By using this modification method, nanoparticles are of great potential to synthesize versatile organic/inorganic nanocomposite.

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Abbreviations

TOAB:

Tetraoctylammonium bromide

TOA+:

Tetraoctammonium

MMA:

Methyl methacrylate

PMMA:

Poly (methyl methacrylate)

FT-IR:

Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy

TGA:

Thermogravimetric analysis

XPS:

X-ray photoelectron spectra

13C NMR:

13C nuclear magnetic resonance

TEM:

Transmission electron microscopy

QELS:

Quasielastic laser light scattering

DCA:

Dynamic contact angle

KH570:

γ-methacyloxypropyl trimethoxy silane

ATRP:

Atom-transfer radical polymerization

BPO:

Benzoyl peroxide

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Acknowledgments

This investigation was supported by Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University, People’s Republic of China.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Composite and Functional Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People’s Republic of China

    Qiang Su, Peipei Wang, Lei Wang & Junping Zheng

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  1. Qiang Su
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  2. Peipei Wang
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  3. Lei Wang
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  4. Junping Zheng
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Correspondence to Junping Zheng.

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Su, Q., Wang, P., Wang, L. et al. A novel method for surface modification of nanoparticles based on control of charge environment. J Nanopart Res 15, 1363 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-1363-x

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