Amination of silica nanoparticles using aminobutanol to increase surface reactivity

An effective amination for SiO2 nanoparticles using aminobutanol to increase surface reactivity was realized via aqueous mixing, spray drying, and thermal treatment. The apparent grafting density of 2-aminobutanol obtained reached to 2.20 nm−2, with a monomolecular layer. The amino group in aminobutanol acts as a self-catalyst in the amination reaction. The reactivity of SiO2 particles after amination is obviously increased, which enables the subsequent modification of carboxylic acids more readily, and increases the grafting density of carboxylic acids on the SiO2 particle surface significantly. [Display omitted] •Surface amination of nanosilica using aminobutanol was effectively achieved.•Aminobutanol amination increases the surface reactivity of nanosilica particles.•The amino group in aminobutanol acts as a self-catalyst in the amination reaction.•The amination of aminobutanol in monomolecular layer was achieved.