Basic catalyzed synthesis of hybrid sol-gel materials based on 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane

Hybrid organic-inorganic materials derived from 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane have been synthesised using 3-aminoethylaminopropyltriethoxysilane as basic catalyst of epoxy polymerisation and modifier of the structure. Different amounts of aminoethylaminopropyltriethoxysilane have been used to prepare films and bulk samples, from 17 to 48 mol% with respect to the alkoxide content. The materials have been characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared, Raman and multinuclear solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. Complete opening of epoxy rings in 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane has been obtained and the different amounts of catalysts employed directly affected the degree of inorganic cross-linking.