Preparation and characterization of surface modified silica nanoparticles with organo-silane compounds

In this study, surface functionalized silica nanoparticles were prepared through a continuous two-step sol-gel process. After the TEOS-derived silica particles were synthesized, silane compounds were added during the second sol-gel process without any filtration or purification processes. The introductions of the organic chains to their surfaces were measured using C-13 solid-state NMR. The effects of the hydrophilicity of the organo-chains on the silica particles were evaluated and analyzed by water contact angle and water wettability tests. The differences of surface charge in the dispersion state were analyzed by measuring the zeta-potential and the variations in the charge were measured as a function of pH. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.