# Synthesis and Characterization of Functionalized Silica Particles: A Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience in Materials Chemistry

## TL;DR

This paper describes an undergraduate research project where students synthesized and tested silica particles with different surface properties.

## Contribution

The study introduces a modified Stöber method for functionalizing silica particles in an educational setting.

## Key findings

- Functionalization methods were confirmed successful via FT-IR and thermogravimetric analyses.
- Functionalized particles showed increased nanoscale surface roughness compared to unfunctionalized ones.
- Glass slides coated with functionalized particles were less hydrophilic than those with unfunctionalized particles.

## Abstract

A course-based undergraduate research experience demonstrating
the synthesis and functionalization of silica particles prepared using
a modified Stöber method was implemented. Silica particles
were functionalized utilizing co-condensation and delayed condensation
procedures. FT-IR and thermogravimetric analyses showed that the functionalization
methods were successful. Dynamic light scattering and scanning electron
microscopy indicated that both functionalization methods produced
nanometer sized particles that aggregated in solution. Glass slides
were spin coated with suspensions of unfunctionalized nanometer sized
silica particles and particles functionalized by both methods. Optical
profilometry and atomic force microscopy indicated that all samples
had less macroscale surface roughness than nanoscale surface roughness
and that the functionalized particles had over two times more nanoscale
surface roughness than the unfunctionalized particles. Water contact
angle analysis indicated that the glass slides coated with the functionalized
particles were less hydrophilic than the glass slides coated with
the bare particles.