A novel surface modification of Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles with a combination of cationic surfactant and silane coupling agent

Abstract

A novel, efficient and cost-effective approach for preparing surface modified Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles was developed by combination modification of cationic modifier cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and silane coupling agent KH-560 via high energy ball milling. In the process of compound modification, the modifier of CTAB was introduced into the system in order to assist the dispersion of bare Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles prior to the modification of silane coupling agent KH-560. Then, the obtained Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles were further modified by the modifier of KH-560 to decrease the hydroxyl density of Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles surface. The successful compound modification of Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles was confirmed and the Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles modified by compound modifiers possess smaller particle size and larger grafting ratio than pristine Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles and single functionalized Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles. Additionally, the stability of dispersions in organic media, the zeta potentials in the modification system and specific surface areas of Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles with different surface properties were investigated. The effect of amount and varieties of modifiers on the surface properties of Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles has been discussed. The results show that the Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles modified by compound modifiers are dispersed on a primary particle level with the diameter size of 58 nm and possess a perfect dispersibility. Besides, the higher absolute values of zeta potential and larger grafting ratio of nano-Sb₂O₃ particles modified by compound modifiers demonstrate that the electrosteric stabilization has been achieved by a combination of electrostatic repulsion and steric stabilization.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Sb₂O₃ nanoparticles
• modifiers
• dispersibility
• surface modification
• electrosteric stabilization

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under grant [number 51761025] and the Science and Technology Program Project Funds of Gansu Province of China under grant [number 17CX2JD075].