Superhydrophobic siloxane functionalized Zirconia, Stannia and Ceria nanoparticles synthesized through a phyto-mediated route

Abstract

The suitability of phyto-synthesized metal oxide nanoparticles for producing super-hydrophobic coatings for potential biomedical, agricultural and industrial applications was studied for the first time. ZrO2, CeO2 and SnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized through a green and facile method by using the aqueous leaf extract of the widely distributed Azadirachta indica as capping agent with over 60 % percentage mass yield. Organic groups acting as capping/stabilizing agents and siloxane attachments were identified using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR). Tiny spherical ZrO2 nanoparticles, angular shaped CeO2 particles and a bed of tiny SnO2 particles with overall predominant particle sizes less than 15 nm were observed using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). As expected, non-wettability of surfaces generally increased with increasing siloxane coupling of the nanoparticles. At a nanoparticle to fluoroalkylsilane mole ratio of 1:1, non-wettable, highly non-wettable and super-hydrophobic surfaces were obtained for CeO2, SnO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles, respectively. The extent of initial phytochemical adsorption, size of the nanoparticles and extent of agglomeration are major factors that influence the coupling of fluoroalkylsilanes and consequently, the wettability of surfaces produced.

Keywords

• zro2
• ceo2
• sno2
• phyto-synthesis
• siloxane coupling
• super-hydrophobic surface