HYDROPHILIC MATERIALS AND THEIR METHOD OF PREPARATION

摘要

A process is described for applying a solid coating onto a surface of an article. The surface of an article has a first physical property measurable as a degree of hydrophobicity and/or hydrophilicity. A liquid coating of an oxidizable material containing at least one element other than carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen is applied onto the surface of the article. The oxidizable material is oxidized on the surface to attach an oxidized material having said at least one element other than carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen onto said surface. This process thereby changes the first physical property with respect to its hydrophobicity and/or hydrophilicity. The process is relatively gentle to the underlying surface, at least in part because of the moderate temperatures which may be used for oxidation, and a wide range of properties may be provided onto the surface by appropriate selection and/or mixing of the liquid material and selection of the surface. The process is particularly useful with particulate materials.