Synthesis and Characterization of New Alumina and Titania-Containing Hybrid Network Ceramer Materials from Sol-Gel Processing

Abstract

Abstract Transparent hybrid materials have been prepared by incorporating either an alumina or titania alkoxide sol with triethoxysilane end-capped polytetramethylene oxide (PTMO) oligomer. In order to avoid undesirable precipitation after the addition of water, a β-dicarbonyl ligand, ethyl acetoacetate, was used. Triethoxysilane endcapped polytetramethylene oxide with a molecular weight of 2000 (g/mol) was chosen to react with either the alumina or titania sol to demonstrate the features of the reaction scheme. The extent of reaction leading to network formation has been qualitatively followed by infrared spectroscopy. A series of solid films were prepared by varying the molar ratio of either aluminum tri(sec-butoxide) or titanium tetraisopropoxide to ethyl acetoacetate, and the weight fraction of alumina or titania to that of PTMO. The refractive index as well as the general structure-property behavior of these hybrid materials were studied.