Organotrialkoxysilanes, RSi(OR’)3, are sol-gel monomers and coupling agents. They are commonly used to modify surfaces for composite materials, to prepare coatings for microelectronics and photonics applications, and as monomers for forming hybrid organic-inorganic materials. For the latter, organotrialkoxysilanes are typically co-polymerized with another sol-gel monomer-generally tetramethoxysilane or tetraethoxysilane. Less is known about the sol-gel chemistry of organotrialkoxysilanes by themselves. Our research is directed at understanding the Sol-Gel Chemistry of these monomers and how the nature of the R group affects the formation of gels and the structure and mechanical properties of gels when they do form. We are also interested in preparing and polymerizing new organotrialkoxysilanes bearing latent or protected chemical functionalities that would not normally survive sol-gel processing. These new silanes have potential applications for coupling agents and for preparing hybrid organic-inorganic materials and membranes.

Loy, Douglas A.; Baugher, Brigitta M.; Baugher, Colleen R.; Schneider, Duane A.; Rahimian, Kamyar. Substituent Effects on the Sol-Gel Chemistry of Organotrialkoxysilanes, Chem. Mater. (2000), 12(12), 3624-3632.

Contact: Doug Loy