Chemical modification of chromium oxide surfaces using organosilanes

Alkylsiloxane layers that were prepared by reaction of alkyltrichlorosilanes, alkyltriethoxysilanes, and mono-, di- and trihydridoalkylsilanes with chromium oxide surfaces were assessed in terms of their hydrophobicity. Two general conditions were studied, in the vapor phase at elevated temperatures (70 °C) and in solution at 70 °C. The surfaces were characterized by contact angle analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The kinetics of the solution phase reactions of n-octadecylsilane and n-octadecyltrichlorosilane were also studied. Hydrophobic monolayers were achieved in all cases, but subtle differences in structure were found.

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