Deposition characteristics of γ-ureidopropyltrimethoxysilane onto E-glass fibres using toluene and carbon tetrachloride as carrier solvents

Abstract

Industrial grade γ-ureidopropyltrimethoxysilane was adsorbed onto industrial grade E-glass fibres from toluene and carbon tetrachloride at 23 °C. The treated surfaces were characterised using thermogravimetry, diffuse reflectance Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy and the zeta potential. When ureidosilane was deposited from toluene and CCl₄, both of which have very low hydrogen-bonding ability, a ureido surface was obtained. The ureidosilane deposited from CCl₄ hydrolysed at the surface and condensed to form a solvent-swollen Si–O–Si network. The ureidosilane deposited from toluene also hydrolysed at the E-glass surface. Condensation of the silane deposited from toluene was not apparent. Aluminium dissolved from the E-glass surface was condensed into the network of the silane deposited from CCl₄. Aluminium was not detected at the surface of the samples with ureidosilane deposited from toluene.