A novel surface modification of Sb2O3 nanoparticles with a combination of cationic surfactant and silane coupling agent

A novel, efficient and cost-effective approach for preparing surface modified Sb2O3 nanoparticles was developed by combination modification of cationic modifier cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and silane coupling agent KH-560 via high energy ball milling. In the process of compound modification, the modifier of CTAB was introduced into the system in order to assist the dispersion of bare Sb2O3 nanoparticles prior to the modification of silane coupling agent KH-560. Then, the obtained Sb2O3 nanoparticles were further modified by the modifier of KH-560 to decrease the hydroxyl density of Sb2O3 nanoparticles surface. The successful compound modification of Sb2O3 nanoparticles was confirmed and the Sb2O3 nanoparticles modified by compound modifiers possess smaller particle size and larger grafting ratio than pristine Sb2O3 nanoparticles and single functionalized Sb2O3 nanoparticles. Additionally, the stability of dispersions in organic media, the zeta potentials in the modification system and specific surface areas of Sb2O3 nanoparticles with different surface properties were investigated. The effect of amount and varieties of modifiers on the surface properties of Sb2O3 nanoparticles has been discussed. The results show that the Sb2O3 nanoparticles modified by compound modifiers are dispersed on a primary particle level with the diameter size of 58 nm and possess a perfect dispersibility. Besides, the higher absolute values of zeta potential and larger grafting ratio of nano-Sb2O3 particles modified by compound modifiers demonstrate that the electrosteric stabilization has been achieved by a combination of electrostatic repulsion and steric stabilization.