Mechanochemical solubilization of silicon dioxide with polyphenol compounds of plant origin

Abstract

Mechanochemical interaction of an amorphous silicon dioxide with catechins of plant origin was used for silicon dioxide solubilization at neutral pH. Mechanism of polyphenol interaction with silicon dioxide was suggested based on investigation of kinetics of solubilization of ‘silicon dioxide-catechol’ model system that included an interaction of hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica with polyphenols, formation of surface complexes, and solubilization of these complexes. Mechanochemical treatment of catechol—natural catechin of plant origin—with amorphous silicon dioxide resulted in an increase of the solubilization rate due to chelate complex formation.