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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Colloids
Published on: April 22, 2016
Structural manipulation of colloidal silica
Jesse Roose1, Klaus Rischka, Karsten Thiel
1Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials, Wiener Str. 12, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
Abstract:
Structural properties of the nanosized silica Ludox TMA with novel functionalizations have been investigated. Silica is stabilized in aqueous solution at a pH value higher than the pK(a) of silicic acid. A surface modification consisting of poly(p-benzamide)s functionalized with derivatized nucleobases on the C-terminus and cationic pyridinium functions on the N-terminus of the polymer chain was carried out. Due to the negatively charged surface, strong physisorption of the cationic pyridinium functions occurs. It is possible to stabilize diluted solutions of silica without agglomeration in solvents with various polarities by using pyridinium cations. Defined structures could be created according to the hydrogen donor/acceptor potential of the introduced nucleobase. Surprisingly the interactions between the same nucleobases are already sufficient for strong particle-particle interactions. Dramatic effects on the structural behavior are characterized by PCS, (S)TEM and EFTEM.
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