SiO2 nanoparticles surface modified with polyethyleneimine-oleic acid complex as stabilizers of Ni fine particles in dense nonaqueous suspensions

Abstract

SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) surface modified with polyethyleneimine-oleic acid complex (PEI-OA) has successfully prepared in a simple manner as a stabilizer of metal (Ni) fine particles (FPs) as well as a component of Ni/SiO2 composite particles. Starting from SiO2 NPs which were collected through centrifugation of commercial SiO2 colloids, it was found that PEI-OA can effectively adsorbed on collected SiO2 NPs surface during their redispersion process in toluene with the assistance of ultrasonication. The aggregated particle size (Z-average size) in toluene could be successfully reduced to c.a. 100nm under saturated adsorption of PEI-OA. It was also found that PEI-OA-modified SiO2 NPs can effectively attach to the Ni FPs by a simple mixing process in toluene. The FE-SEM observation confirmed the adsorption of the PEI-OA-modified SiO2 NPs on the Ni FPs without forming severe NP aggregates. Owing to the attachment of the PEI-OA-modified SiO2 NPs with surfaces that are compatible to toluene and α-terpineol, the suspension stability of the Ni/SiO2 composite particles in these solvents drastically improved. The result was confirmed by the effective reduction of the sedimentation velocity of diluted suspensions as well as by the reduction of the viscosity of dense suspensions.