Fabrication and characterisation of self-assembled monolayers of N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]diethylenetriamine on silica particles

▶ A spontaneous formation of N-[3-trimethoxysilyl)propyl]diethylenetriamine (C10H27N3O3Si, TRIS in short) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on silica particles for water treatment without the use of any organic solvents. ▶ A range of TRIS concentration study reveals that monolayer formation is facilitated only up to low concentration of TRIS (0.32 mmol/g), above which multilayer predominates. ▶ The characterisation of the samples via zeta potential measurements, TGA, titration, PA-FTIR, and XPS clearly indicates TRIS multilayer formation at TRIS concentration at and above 0.65 mmol/g during synthesis. ▶ Data have shown promising outcomes in the removal of natural organic matter in water industry.