Surface modification of potassium titanate whiskers with n-octadecyltrichlorosilane

The surface modification of potassium titanate whiskers (PTW) with n-octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) through self-assembly process was investigated. The surface free energies and polar components of PTW modified with OTS were calculated by measuring contact angles of benzene, ethylene glycol, water on the palletized surfaces. The results showed that the surface free energies and polar components of PTW modified with OTS were lower than those of PTW modified with traditional ways, such as covered with PMMA or modified with silane coupling agent (KH560), thus PTW modified with OTS had more conspicuous lipophilicity and hydrophobicity. Moreover, the results of IR spectrum and apolar component of surface free energy showed that the alkyl chains of OTS tilted on the surface of PTW after the modification.