SURFACE MODIFICATION OF FINE INORGANIC POWDER BY USE OF MECHANOCHEMICAL POLYMERIZATION

Surface modification of fine inorganic powder by use of a mechanochemical polymerization method was examined from the viewpoints of utilizing mechanical energy effectively and modifying the surface of fine inorganic powder. The mechanochemical polymerization was performed by grinding quartz in methyl methacrylate monomer solvent under nitrogen atmosphere. The grinding machine used was a vibration ball mill, and both grinding pot and balls were made of silicon nitride. The variations of surface area produced and the conversion of the monomer to polymer with time were examined for various concentrations of quartz. The results showed that the polymerization reaction was closely realted to the grinding and that the conversion was approximately proportional to the total surface area of quartz powder produced by grinding. It was found that a quartz surface could be modified to hydrophobicity by a little polymer produced on the surface. This method is considered to be usable for the surface modification of other inorganic solids according to the usage.