How to Make Silanized Vials

Glass vials used to store samples of all sorts of materials in sterilized conditions are everyday tools in the life of hospital employees and medical researchers. However, a problem occurs when one of these materials is reactive to the glass itself. In this case, the glass if exposed to a silanization process, which will act as a shield to the glass from the corrosive properties of the sample, yet not affect the sample in any way.

Things You'll Need

• Fume hood
• Vacuum dessicator
• Vials
• Silanizing agent
• Oven or autoclave

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Instructions

• 1

  Place all items in the fume hood in order to negate any chance of exposure to noxious gases that may be created during this process.

• 2

  Lift the lid of the dessicator, and place the vials and the beaker containing the silanizing agent inside. Quickly replace the lid.

• 3

  Connect the dessicator to the vacuum line in the hood, and then allow the pump to reduce the pressure inside the dessicator. You should continue to reduce pressure unitl the silanizing agent in the beaker begins to boil and, thus, vaporize.

• 4

  Remove the connection to the vacuum source when the silanizing agent begins to boil.

• 5

  Keep the dessicator at vacuum setting for approximately three hours. This process will see the liquid silane evaporate and gather on the surface of the vials—a coat of protection for the vials.

• 6

  Wait until the liquid silane has evaporated, and then release the vacuum and open the dessicator to remove the vials.

• 7

  Put the vials into an oven or autoclave in order to complete the process, sealing the reactive sites on the glass surface.