Modification of fumed silica surface with different sulfonamides via a postsynthesis method and their application as antibacterial agents

The surface of nanosized fumed silica (FSi) was modified with different amine groups by the use of silylating agents. The obtained propylamine, propylpiperazine, and propyl-p-phenylenediamine-modified FSi were treated with different sulfonyl chlorides to gain sulfonamide-modified FSi compounds. These compounds were characterized by various techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), confirming the grafted sulfonamides on the FSi surface. Sulfonamide-modified surfaces are efficient catalysts for the Michael addition-based syntheses and coupling reactions. Furthermore, the antibacterial tests showed that these modified FSi compounds have antibacterial activities and thus are useful materials for preparing antibacterial silicone-based compounds such as silicone glue and oil.