Evaluation of the influence of fine particle surface modification with the Hansen solubility parameters

In this study, we determined the Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) of metal fine particles by experiments based on the Hansen solubility sphere method. A silane coupling treatment was applied to the metal fine particles to determine the HSPs from their dispersibilities. We examined changes in the HSP values after treatment by a silane coupling. We confirmed that the treatment with silane coupling agents, caused the HSPs of the particles to tend towards the HSPs of the surface treatment agent. We suggest that HSP theory is useful for selection of silane coupling agents. [Display omitted] •We determined HSP values for the surfaces of copper particles.•The surfaces of the copper particles were treated with a silane coupling agent.•The HSP value of the copper surface after the silane coupling agents was measured.•The HSP theory could be applied to select the silane coupling agent.