Enhanced bonding of alkanephosphonic acids to oxidized titanium using surface-bound alkoxyzirconium complex interfaces

The use of surface zirconium complexes prepared by reaction of zirconium alkoxides with surface hydroxyl groups to enhance bonding between carboxylic acids and metal oxides or oxidized metal surfaces were reported. Native oxides of Al and Fe, which are reactive toward alkanephosphonic acids, retained a significant amount of absorbed phosphonic acid. Titanium dioxide and native oxide layer on Ti were unreactive toward these acids at room temperature. The Ti native oxide reacted with tetra(tert-butoxy)Zr, and this surface modification reagent can be used to strongly interface the substrate metal with the organic acid.