Surface Functionalization of Activated Carbon: Coupling of 3-(Aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane and (3-Glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane

Lucija Pustahija, Christine Bandl, Sayed Ali Ahmad Alem, Wolfgang Kern

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

This study aimed to functionalize the surface of activated carbon, and thus render the surface more hydrophilic and reactive. To attain this goal, sequential surface functionalization was carried out using (i) oxidation (pre-activation) and (ii) secondary functionalization. The carbon surface was pre-activated in an autoclave via solvothermal oxidation (i.e., wet oxidation) with nitric acid. Alternatively, plasma-assisted oxidation with a mixture of argon and oxygen (i.e., dry oxidation) was employed. A subsequent step included the reduction in formed carbonyl groups with LiAlH4. Following that, secondary functionalization was performed with 3-(aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS) or (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS), respectively. Changes in the surface composition of carbon after functionalization and morphology were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Oxidized carbon samples were successfully modified at their surfaces with APMTS and GPTMS, yielding Si content of 3.2 at. % and 1.9 at. % for wet-oxidized carbon and 5.1 at. % and 2.8 at. % for dry-oxidized carbon, respectively.
Original languageEnglish
Article number104
Number of pages16
JournalC-Journal of Carbon Research
Volume10.2024
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Dec 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright: © 2024 by the authors.

Keywords

  • activated carbon
  • APTMS
  • GPTMS
  • plasma-assisted oxidation
  • reduction with LiAlH
  • solvothermal oxidation
  • surface functionalization

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