FT-IR study of the hydrolysis and condensation of 3-(2-amino-ethylamino)propyl-trimethoxy silane

Abstract

The hydrolysis and self-condensation reactions of 3-(2-amino-ethylamino)propyl-trimethoxy silane have been studied by means FT-IR spectroscopy for different water and ethanol concentrations. The hydrolysis of 3-(2-amino-ethylamino)propyl-trimethoxy silane occurs at a high rate and depends if the water concentration is lower or higher than the stoichiometric one for hydrolysing all the hydrolysable groups. The presence of ethanol delays the hydrolysis reaction. The hydrolysis of 3-(2-amino-ethylamino)propyl-trimethoxy silane gives hydroxyl groups (Si–OH) that self-condense to form Si–O–Si bonds in linear and cyclic structures. For high water and low ethanol concentrations not all Si–OH groups self-condense, whereas for low water or high ethanol concentrations the major part of the Si–OH groups self-condense and tends to disappear in the gel state.