| abstract |
A modified silica comprising a virgin silica and a silane coupling agent wherein the silane coupling agent is present in an amount of equal to or greater than about 10 weight percent (wt.%) based on the total weight of the modified silica. The virgin silica has a particle size of from about 1 nm to about 400 nm. The silane coupling agent comprises a silane having a general formula Si(OR1)3(CH2)nOOCR2, wherein R1 is an alkyl, n is an integer from about 2 to about 9, and R2 is a coupling moiety. R2 is an olefin, a hydroxyl group, or an alkyl with a chain having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms. The polymer comprises a hydrophilic polymer, a hydrophobic polymer, or combinations thereof. A silica-polymer composite (SPC) comprising the modified silica and a polymer. An SPC-modified polymer comprising the SPC and an additional polymer. |