Photochemical Thiolation of Carbon Particles with Mercaptoproyltrimethoxysilane

Surface modification of carbon black (CB) is an important tool to refashion properties of its composites. CB surface modification is usually practiced through thermal procedures. However, environmental concerns have provided the base to rethink for alternate methods, particularly photochemical methods that are considered comparatively eco-friendly due to reduced chemical and thermal waste. Present investigation is based on a photochemical method for CB surface modification that has effectively modified particle surface with alkoxysilane. This method carries the active centers, generated by photoinitiator, to the shaded areas which otherwise are not possible to reach. Hence, this reaction scheme has prevailed over huge activation barrier without thermal support. A photo-thermal modification method has also been utilized for comparative analysis. Effectiveness of photochemical modification method to alter the surface of CB has been confirmed through different instrumental techniques, including XPS, TGA, FTIR, Raman and SEM.