Toward dispersing functional nanoparticles in various solvents and polymers, two kinds of surface modification techniques, such as the use of silane coupling agents and functional anionic surfactants are introduced together with various processing route such as bead milling process. In the case of silane coupling agent usage, tuning the surface properties by using mixed silane coupling agents were effective to control their stability in organic solvents. Furthermore, multiple surface modification routes are introduced to improve their stability in polymers. In case of the use of anionc surfactants, a functional surfactant witch branches into hydrophobic and hydrophilic chains was introduced. Nanoparticles modified by this surfactant were dispersible into many types of solvents/polymers which has completely different properties. Both of these surface modification techniques can also be conducted under bead mill operation system to disperse aggregated nanoparticles in various organic solvents.
View full abstract