(70j) Characterization of Silane-Modified Nano-Zro2 Particles

Polymerizable organic silane molecules such as 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane have been grafted onto the surface of nano-ZrO2 particles prepared by coprecipitation method, via hydroxyl groups, to obtain hybrid ?macromonomersÏ. A combination of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and TEM have been employed to study the interaction between organic silane molecules and the surface of the nano-particles. The core-level XPS regions determine the nature of chemical bonding between the organic grafted monomer and inorganic phase and correlated with the data from infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Based upon the results obtained, it is proposed that grafting results bonded to the particlesr surface via Zr?O?Si bonds accompanied by interlinkage of 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane molecules through Si?O?Si ZrO2 bonding. TEM results also showed the successful bond of organic molecular and inorganic nano-particles.