REACTION OF ALKYLCHLOROSILANES WITH SILICA - IMPORTANCE OF A SURFACE ATTACHMENT IN DEFINING THE TRIBOELECTRIFICATION OF THE MODIFIED SILICA

In the surface treatment of silica with alkylsilanes, the formation of a covalent bond with the surface is recognized as being important in obtaining highly robust films. In this paper, we show that the presenc e of a covalent bond is also important in defining the behavior and pr operties imparted to the silica by the silane layer. Specifically, it is shown that a chemically bonded alkylsilane is a necessary condition to alter the triboelectric properties of the silica. The triboelectri c charge is sensitive to the distribution and level of absorbed water and this is altered by the presence of the surface bonds.