Surface Modification of Barium Sulfate Particles

In this study, surface modification of barium sulfate was investigated using several model molecules for chemical treatment: ethanesulfonic acid, butyric acid, trimethoxy(propyl) silane and phosphoric acid 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Samples were characterized by FT-IR and TGA to check the capability of these model molecules to interact with BaSO4 surface. The results pointed out the presence of an organic layer around the surface after the chemical treatment even after several washings to remove all species in excess. Model molecules were grafted onto BaSO4 surface and grafted density was determined. It reveals that phosphoric acid and carboxylic acid are the best candidates for the modification of BaSO4 surface. Both can be used as anchoring groups to modify the hydrophilic balance of barium sulfate surface in order to avoid the formation of aggregates and to improve the compatibility of this filler within hydrophobic polymer matrix.