Elaboration of hybrid silica particles using a diazonium salt chemistry approach

Local Surface Chemistry Dynamically Monitored by Quantitative Phase Microscopy

Surface modification by photo grafting constitutes an interesting strategy to prepare functional surfaces. Precision applications, however, demand quantitative methods able to monitor and control the amount and distribution of surface modifications, which is hard to achieve, particularly in operando conditions. In this paper, a label-free, cost-effective, all-optical method based on wavefront sensing which is able to quantitatively track the evolution of grafted layers in real-time, is presented. By positioning a simple thin diffuser in the close vicinity of a camera, the thickness of grafted patterns is directly evaluated with sub-nanometric sensitivity and diffraction-limited lateral resolution. By performing an in-depth kinetic analysis of the local modification of an inert substrate (glass cover slips) through photografting of arydiazonium salts, different growth regimes are characterized and several parameters are estimated, such as the grafting efficiency, density and the apparent refractive index distribution of the resulting grafted layers. Both focused and widefield-grafting can be quantitatively monitored in real time, providing valuable guidelines to maximize functionalization efficiency. The association of a well-characterized versatile photografting reaction with the proposed flexible and sensitive monitoring strategy enables functional surfaces to be prepared, and puts surface micro- to submicro-structuration within the reach of most laboratories.

Grafting of Diazonium Salts on Surfaces: Application to Biosensors

This review is divided into two parts; the first one summarizes the main features of surface modification by diazonium salts with a focus on most recent advances, while the second part deals with diazonium-based biosensors including small molecules of biological interest, proteins, and nucleic acids.

The effect of covalently bonded aryl layers on the band bending and electron density of SnO2 surfaces probed by synchrotron X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

A downward to upward surface band bending change can be induced by grafted 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl groups on SnO₂.

Modification of Ti6Al4V surface by diazonium compounds

Ti6Al4V alloy is the most commonly used in orthopedic industry as an endoprosthesis. Ti6Al4V exhibits good mechanical properties, except the abrasion resistance. Surface modification of Ti6Al4V in order to obtain organic layer, and then the attachment of the polymer, can allow for overcoming this problem. The aim of the work was the modification of Ti6Al4V surface by diazonium compounds: salt or cation generated in situ and examine the influence of the reducing agent - ascorbic acid, and the temperature of reaction on modification process. Moreover, the simulated body fluid was used for the assessment of the organic layer stability on Ti6Al4V surface. The evaluation of the modification was carried out using the following methods: Raman microspectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Higher temperature of modification by 4-hydroxymethylbenzenediazonium cation, provides the largest amount of organic layer on the Ti6Al4V alloy. In the case of the Ti6Al4V modified by Variamine Blue B salt, the amount of organic layer is not dependent on the reaction condition. Moreover, the ascorbic acid and the presence of TiO₂ does not effect on the modification. The modified surface is completely coated with the organic layer which is stable in simulated body fluid.

Diazonium-functionalized thin films from the spontaneous reaction of p-phenylenebis(diazonium) salts

Salts of the diazonium coupling agent p-phenylenebis(diazonium) form diazonium-terminated conjugated thin films on a variety of conductive and nonconductive surfaces by spontaneous reaction of the coupling agent with the surface. The resulting diazonium-bearing surface can be reacted with various organic and inorganic nucleophiles to form a functionalized surface. These surfaces have been characterized with voltammetry, XPS, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Substrates that can be conveniently and quickly modified with this process include ordinary glass, gold, and an intact, fully assembled commercial screen-printed carbon electrode. The scope and convenience of this process make it promising for practical surface modification.

We present a surface functionalization procedure based on diazonium-functionalized thin films produced by spontaneous surface grafting of p-phenylene-bis(diazonium) cation.

Solid-Phase Spectrophotometric Analysis of 1-Naphthol Using Silica Functionalized with m-Diazophenylarsonic Acid

The m-aminophenylarsonic acid (m-APAA) was immobilized onto the silica gel surface with covalently grafted quaternary ammonium groups via ion exchange. The diazotization of ion-bonded m-APAA resulted in a new solid-phase spectrophotometric reagent for detection of 1-naphtol in environmental water samples. The procedure of solid-phase spectrophotometric analysis is characterized by 20 μg L(-1) limit of detection (LOD) of 1-naphtol, up to 2000 concentration factor, and insensitivity to the presence of natural water components as well as to 30-fold excess of phenol, resorcinol, and catechol.

Reactive Diazonium-Modified Silica Fillers for High-Performance Polymers

We describe a simple way of modification of three silica-based fillers with in situ generated 4-hydroxymethylbenzenediazonium salt (⁺N₂-C₆H₄-CH₂OH). The rationale for using a hydroxyl-functionalized diazonium salt is that it provides surface-functionalized fillers that can react with phenolic resins. The modification of silica by diazonium salts was assessed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). FTIR spectroscopy permitted the tracking of benzene ring breathing and C-C. The absence of the characteristic N≡N stretching vibration in the 2200-2300 cm^-1 range indicates the loss of the diazonium group. XPS results indicate a higher C/Si atomic ratio after the diazonium modification of fillers and the presence of π-π* C1s satellite peaks characteristic of the surface-tethered aromatic species. Adhesion of aryl layers to the silicas is excellent because they withstand harsh thermal and organic solvent treatments. Phenolic resins (used, for example, as binders in abrasive products) were filled with diazonium-modified silicas at 10-25 wt %. The reactivity of the fillers toward phenolic resins was evaluated by the determination of the flow distance. After annealing at 180 °C, the diazonium-modified silica/phenolic resin composites were mechanically tested using the three-point flexural method. The flexural strength was found to be up to 35% higher than that of the composites prepared without any diazonium salts. Diazonium-modified silica with surface-bound -CH₂-OH groups is thus ideal reactive filler for phenolic resins. Such filler ensures interfacial chemical reactions with the matrix and imparts robust mechanical properties to the final composites. This specialty diazonium-modified silica will find potential application as fillers in the composites for the abrasive industry. More generally, aryl diazonium salts are a unique new series of compounds for tailoring the surface properties of fillers and tuning the physicochemical and mechanical properties of polymer composites.

Diazonium salt-based photoiniferter as a new efficient pathway to clay–polymer nanocomposites

Diazonium salts were used to prepare clay–polymer nanocomposites by living free radical photopolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate. The resulting intercalated nanocomposites have an organic mass loading of ∼41 wt% and a polymer-rich surface.

Functionalization of nanomaterials with aryldiazonium salts

This paper reviews the surface modification strategies of a wide range of nanomaterials using aryldiazonium salts. After a brief history of diazonium salts since their discovery by Peter Griess in 1858, we will tackle the surface chemistry using these compounds since the first trials in the 1950s. We will then focus on the modern surface chemistry of aryldiazonium salts for the modification of materials, particularly metallic, semiconductors, metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon-based nanostructures, diamond and clays. The successful modification of sp(2) carbon materials and metals by aryldiazonium salts paved the way to innovative strategies for the attachment of aryl layers to metal oxide nanoparticles and nanodiamonds, and intercalation of clays. Interestingly, diazotized surfaces can easily trap nanoparticles and nanotubes while diazotized nanoparticles can be (electro)chemically reduced on electrode/materials surfaces as molecular compounds. Both strategies provided organized 2D surface assembled nanoparticles. In this review, aryldiazonium salts are highlighted as efficient coupling agents for many types of molecular, macromolecular and nanoparticulate species, therefore ensuring stability to colloids on the one hand, and the construction of composite materials and hybrid systems with robust and durable interfaces/interphases, on the other hand. The last section is dedicated to a selection of patents and industrial products based on aryldiazonium-modified nanomaterials. After nearly 160 years of organic chemistry, diazonium salts have entered a new, long and thriving era for the benefit of materials, colloids, and surface scientists. This tempts us to introduce the terminology of "diazonics" we define as the science and technology of aryldiazonium salt-derived materials.

Water-soluble plasmonic nanosensors with synthetic receptors for label-free detection of folic acid

We describe an original approach to graft molecularly imprinted polymers around gold nanorods by combining the diazonium salt chemistry and the iniferter method. This chemical strategy enables fine control of the imprinting process at the nanometer scale and provides water-soluble plasmonic nanosensors.

Spontaneous aryldiazonium film formation on 440C stainless steel in nonaqueous environments

The ability of three aryldiazonium salts to spontaneously assemble onto the surface of type 440C stainless steel is investigated in acetonitrile (ACN) and the model hydraulic fluids tributyl phosphate (TBP) and hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDS). Competition between native oxide formation and organic film growth at different diazonium salt concentrations is monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. At 1 mM diazonium salt, 70% of total assembly is complete within 10 min, though total surface coverage by organics is limited to ≈0.15 monolayers. Adding HCl to the electrolyte renders native oxide formation unfavorable, yet the diazonium molecules are still unable to the increase surface coverage over 1 M-10 μM HCl in solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms preferential bonding of organic molecules to iron over chromium, while secondary ion mass spectroscopy reveals the ability of these films to self-heal when mechanically removed or damaged. Aging the diazonium salts in these nonaqueous environments demonstrates that up to 90% of the original diazonium salt concentration remains after 21 days at room temperature, while increasing the temperature beyond 50 °C results in complete decomposition within 24 h, regardless of solvent-salt combination. It is concluded that the investigated diazonium molecules will not spontaneously form a continuous monolayer on 440C stainless steel immersed in ACN, TBP, or HMDS.

Exfoliated clay/polyaniline nanocomposites through tandem diazonium cation exchange reactions and in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline

Exfoliated, conductive clay/polyaniline nanocomposites were prepared by polymerization of aniline in the presence of diazonium cation exchanged bentonite.