High adsorption capacity by creating a hydrophobic/hydrophilic layer on the surface of silicalite-1

Abstract

Silicalite-1 was first modified by dodecafluoroheptyl-propyl-trimethoxysilane (DPTS) to give a hydrophobic layer on the surface of silicalite-1 to prevent the adsorption of water. The hydrophobic adsorbent provided much more adsorption space for adsorbate. (3-Aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APS) was then added onto the surface of hydrophobic silicalite-1, which improved the dispersibility of the hydrophobic silicalite-1. The materials obtained are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The butanol adsorption capacity of hydrophobic/hydrophilic silicalite-1 (HHS) shows a 50% improvement over the unmodified silicalite-1. The intriguing properties of HHS will make mesoporous materials more accessible to many important applications, especially in the enrichment of adsorbate in aqueous systems.