Cross-condensation and particle growth in aqueous silane mixtures at low concentration
Résumé
We have observed the condensation of a mixture of γ -glycidoxypropylmethyldiethoxysilane and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane in dilute aqueous
solutions. NMR and IR spectroscopy have allowed to follow the condensation process in the mixture, which is noticeably enhanced and proceeds
faster than for each silane on its own. Cross-condensation between the two silanes was evidenced. When the hydrophilic aminosilane is in
excess, the condensation, as evidenced by dynamic light scattering, proceeds toward gel formation because the oligomers formed are essentially
hydrophilic. When the more hydrophobic epoxysilane is in excess, oligomer growth proceeds slowly and results in a destabilization of the
solution: due to their hydrophobic character, the oligomers formed coalesce suddenly into 200-nm-diameter aggregates. Coatings deposited from
such solutions with high epoxysilane content can be used to strengthen glass. We show that the progress of condensation in solution results in
a wetting transition during deposition of the silane film on glass by dip coating. The production of increasingly hydrophobic oligomers as the
reaction time increases results in adsorption of more hydrophobic aggregates at the surface, which eventually leads to dewetting of the film: in the
absence of film, glass strengthening disappears.