How to activate the surface of silicone

Activation treatment of silica gel surface is an important step to restore and improve its adsorption performance. The following is a summary of the detailed steps and methods of silica gel surface activation treatment:

Activation method:

Drying method: Dry the silica gel at high temperature to volatilize the moisture or gas adsorbed on its surface. Common drying methods include placing the silica gel in an oven at a temperature of 105-110 degrees, and the activation time is usually set to 30 to 40 minutes. This method can achieve good activation results.

Microwave method: Heat the silica gel in a microwave oven to make the silica gel molecules vibrate internally, thereby restoring its adsorption performance.

Chemical method: Use chemical substances to remove adsorbed substances on the surface of silica gel and restore its adsorption performance. Specific steps may include acid washing with nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc., then washing with acetone to remove organic impurities, and finally vacuum drying.

Activation steps (taking chemical method as an example):

First soak the silica gel in nitric acid (1+1, v/v) for 12 hours, and then wash it with double distilled water until neutral.

Then, after oscillating and soaking with hydrochloric acid (1+1, v/v) for 12 hours, wash it again with double distilled water until neutral.

Wash with acetone to remove organic impurities in silica gel.

Dry in a 120℃ vacuum drying oven for 12 hours to remove physically adsorbed water on the surface of silica gel.

Store in a vacuum desiccator for later use.