Organic modification of cerium–zirconium mixed oxide mesoporous materials

Abstract

Cerium–zirconium mixed oxide mesoporous materials were synthesised by using block polymer Pluronic P123 as soft template under the hydrothermal conditions. To enhance the interfacial interaction of cerium–zirconium mixed oxide mesoporous materials in filled polymer composites, an organic grafting method was applied to modify mesoporous materials by treating with oleic acid or silane coupling agent and grafting polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) onto the mesoporous particles. The structural and surface properties of CeO₂–ZrO₂ mesoporous particles before and after organic modification were characterised by different methods. The results showed that the desired polymer chains were covalently bonded to the surface of CeO₂–ZrO₂ mesoporous particles to increase lipophilic degree and reduce the aggregation of these particles. It was also found that the heat decomposition temperature of PMMA grafted CeO₂–ZrO₂ was higher than that of pure PMMA, which demonstrated that the CeO₂–ZrO₂ mesoporous materials were potential superior performance filler into thermoplastic polymers to improve polymer properties.