The Effect of Nanoscaled Metal Oxide Sols on the Structure and Properties of Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane Derived Sols and Gels

Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTS) is frequently used as precursor for the preparation of sol-gel derived nanoscaled hybrid polymers. The influence of nanoscaled metal oxide sols of silica, boehmite, zirconia and ceria on reactions of GPTS in ethanolic hydrolysates and in corresponding gels (epoxide ring-opening, condensation degree) was examined by liquid- and solid-state ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR with regard to a better correlation between structure and material properties. Generally, a higher condensation degree of RSi(O_0.5)₃ units of GPTS is found after addition of metal oxide sols compared to GPTS without additives. The metal oxide sols (10 mole% series) cause an epoxide ring-opening up to 20% in GPTS hydrolysates after 24 h. A nearly complete ring opening was found in the boehmite and silica containing hybrid gels whereas gels containing ceria and other types of silica only show a low degree of ring-opening. The results show an accelerated ring-opening with increasing content of AlO/OH-species in silica sols. ¹³C NMR studies reveal that the epoxide ring-opening does not completely lead to polyether structures but to considerable amounts (up to 40%) of ethylether groups which can influence the material properties (hardness).