Surface Modification and Functionalization of Oxide Nanoparticles for Superhydrophobic Applications

Abstract:

Oxide nanoparticles have tremendous technological applications in the present days in diverse fields. In this study, the surface modification and functionalization of hydrophilic silica (SiO₂) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were performed to obtain superhydrophobicity. Monodispersive nanoparticles of SiO₂ were prepared by Stöber process using tetraethoxysilane (Si (OC₂H₅)₄) as a precursor and ammonium hydroxide as a catalyst in a ethanolic solution. The surface modification of the silica nanoparticles were performed using fluoroalkylsilane (FAS-17: C₁₆H₁₉F₁₇O₃Si) molecules to obtain fluorinated silica nanoparticles of diameter varying from 50nm to 300nm. On the other hand, surface modification of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles was performed using stearic acid (C₁₈H₃₆O₂) molecules to obtain methylated ZnO nanoparticles. These functionalized nanoparticles were characterized both in the form of powder as well as thin films. The bonding characteristics of FAS-17 molecules with SiO₂ and stearic acid molecules with ZnO were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Nanostructured thin films of these functionalized oxide nanoparticles exhibit superhydrophobicity with contact angles over 150° with water roll-off properties. Such functionalized oxides nanoparticles, therefore, can be easily incorporated in coatings and paints for various applications in emerging technologies like biomedical applications, anti-corrosion, anti-icing, drag reduction and energy consumption reduction.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 409)
• Pages: 469-473
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.409.469
• Online since: November 2011
• Authors: Jean Denis Brassard, Dilip K. Sarkar, Jean Perron
• Keywords: Contact Angle (CA), Fluoroalkylsilane, FT-IR, Functionalized Nanoparticles, SEM, Silica Nanoparticles, Superhydrophobic Coatings, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Zinc Oxide (ZnO)

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