Formation of silica gel surfaces having lipophobic and hydrophobic characters by a radio-frequency CF₄ plasma treatment

The hydrophobic and lipophobic characters for the parent and plasma treated silica gel were investigated. The characterization of the surface was performed using nitrogen adsorption, energy dispersive x ray (EDX) and infrared adsorption techniques. The results of cyclohexane and water adsorption suggested that the lipophobic and hydrophobic character of silica gel was enhanced by the plasma treatment. It was also observed that the polymerization of carbon fluoride derivatives on the silica gel surfaces partly occurred by the plasma treatment.