The Effect of Solvent and Fiber Treatment on the Deposition of Organic Silane Solutions Using THF and Acetone.

To facilitate the deposition of gamma-ureidopropyltrimethoxysilane monomer onto E-glass fibers, anhydrous acetone and THF were used as carrier solvents. Untreated industrial E-glass fibers and cold water plasma treated E-glass fibers were used. Cold water plasma treatment of the fibers increased the hydrophobicity of the surface by increasing the number of hydroxyl groups at the surface; additionally, the amount of aluminium and calcium at the surface was increased. The silane was found to deposit in bilayers with an external surface due to condensed siloxane; aluminium and calcium were also condensed into the network when acetone was used as a deposition solvent. The bilayers were strongly hydrogen bonded via the ureido functional groups. When THF was used as a carrier solvent, a ureido functional surface was obtained due to the THF interfering with the condensation of the silane. The silane was deposited in conical patches of varying heights. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.