Composite Interfaces, Vol.6, No.1, 35-47, 1999
The variation of the hydration properties of silica gel during its carbonization by pyrolysis of acetyloacetone and Ti, Zn acetyloacetonates
The hydration properties of different silica gels containing carbonaceous patches and other components (TiO2, Zn2SiO4) on the surface were studied by H-1 NMR spectroscopy method with bulk freezing. The materials were synthesised on the basis of mesoporous silica gel the surface of which was covered with a carbon layer by the high temperature pyrolysis of acetylacetone. The formation of titanium dioxide and zinc silicate on the surface of parent silica gel was performed by pyrolysis of acetylacetonates of suitable metals. It was established that above 80% of the adsorbed water is bonded with the oxide component of the materials surface. The carbon component of the surface is localised mainly in the most narrow mesopores. The interfacial free energies, characteristic decay lengths and Hamaker constants at the solid/water interface were determined for these materials. The minimal value of interfacial free energy was found for the most hydrophobic carbosil sample.
Keywords:silica gel;modification;NMR spectroscopy;disjoining pressure;water film;surface carbonization