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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
09:26
Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Colloids
Published on: April 22, 2016
Molecular macrocluster formation on silica surfaces in phenol-cyclohexane mixtures
Neval Yilmaz1, Masashi Mizukami, Kazue Kurihara
1Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (IMRAM), Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aobaku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|April 19, 2007
Summary
Silanol groups on silica surfaces are crucial for phenol adsorption and cluster formation in cyclohexane. This study reveals phenol
Area of Science:
- Surface Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Phenol adsorption on silica is influenced by its aromatic and hydrogen-bonding properties.
- Understanding surface interactions is key for designing materials and processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate phenol adsorption on silica surfaces in cyclohexane.
- To elucidate the role of silanol groups and phenol clustering in adsorption.
- To determine the structure and density of the adsorbed phenol layer.
Main Methods:
- Colloidal probe atomic force microscopy (AFM) for surface force measurements.
- Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) for surface analysis.
- Adsorption isotherm measurements.
Main Results:
- Silanol groups are essential for phenol cluster formation on silica surfaces.
- A long-range attraction between silica surfaces was observed due to adsorbed phenol layers.
- Phenol cluster formation in bulk solution affected surface adsorption and attraction.
- The surface density of adsorbed phenol is lower than liquid phenol density.
Conclusions:
- Silanol groups drive phenol adsorption and surface macrocluster formation via hydrogen bonding.
- The aromatic ring influences the packing density of phenol on silica surfaces in nonpolar solvents.
- AFM and ATR-FTIR provide insights into the molecular interactions and structure of adsorbed layers.
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