The lattice of a crystal is abruptly terminated at its surface. In consequence, the constituents of the lattice are unsaturated in their coordination, giving rise to the surface energy. Adsorption of substances which are foreign to the lattice may lower the energy of the system and reduce the coordinative “unsaturation”. The interaction of the adsorptive with the adsorbent can very greatly in nature, i.e. from weak interaction by van der Waals forces, leading to physisorption, to strong chemical bonding or chemisorption. Chemisorption of molecules is frequently dissociative and often irreversible as well, that is the adsorptive cannot always be recovered in its original form. An example is the chemisorption of oxygen, O2, on carbon giving rise to surface oxides [1] which yield CO and CO2 on thermal decomposition.

Nature and Estimation of Functional Groups on Solid Surfaces

The terminal grafting of poly(ethylene oxide) chains to silica surfaces

Wettability of fine silica powder surfaces modified with several normal alcohols

Surface-alkoxylated silica can be prepared by reacting precipitated silica with high-boiling and polymeric alcohols. The structure of the products was investigated through 13C and 29Si MAS NMR expe...

New Approaches to Surface-Alkoxylated Silica with Increased Hydrolytic Stability

Three aspects of the esterification reaction of silica surfaces with alcohols that are relevant for the synthesis of functional materials have been studied:  surface coverage, hydrolytic stability,...

Toshiharu Matsuzawa

Papers

Mechanism of esterification of alcohols with surface silanols and hydrolysis of surface esters on silica gels