A surface modifying composition comprises an amphiphilic compound which is non-cellulose based, the amphiphilic compound including a covalently linked ionic moiety with the following formula: where M=metal oxide or binary metal oxide, Ai is selected from compounds with surface energy greater than or equal to 25 dynes cm−1, A2 is selected from compounds with surface energy greater than or equal to 12 dynes cm−1, A3 is selected from compounds having more than one reactive functional group, x=NH2, NHR′ or NR′2 (R′=methyl, ethyl, propyl or isopropyl), y=COOH, SO3H or PO3H, and R=H or halogen and where one of the A1-x, A2, or A3-y may be replaced by a second O—R.
