Investigations of zeta-potential changes of initial and thermally treated controlled-porosity glasses (CPGs), whose surfaces were covered with different amounts of n-octane and/or nitromethane, are presented. The dispersive (gamma-s-d) and non-dispersive (gamma-s-n) components of the surface free energy were then calculated using the relationships obtained. Gamma-s-d was found to be practically independent of the treatment time (a small increase in the range of 4 mJ m-2 can be seen), but a considerable decrease in gamma-s-n was observed (from 76.95 to 27.2 4 mJ m-2). In the case of CPG modified with gamma-aminopropyltriethoxysilane an increased hydrophobic character of the surface was found. This was reflected in increased gamma-s-d and decreased gamma-s-n values.