Synthesis of α-alkyl ω-trimethoxysilane polyoxazolines and their application as coatings on glass fibres

Abstract

A novel class of telechelic α-alkyl ω-trimethoxysilane poly(N-propionylethylene imine)s (TMS-PPEls) has been synthesized by living cationic ring-opening polymerization of 2-oxazolines. A new route for the termination reaction of the living polyoxazoline is described. These block copolymers have been tested as coatings for glass fibres. The polymers were applied by means of a solvent dip test. It is supposed that the affinity of the polyoxazoline block for glass surfaces promotes the reaction of the silane with the silanol groups of the glass substrate. Because of the presence of the apolar α-block, the surface tension of the glass surface will be lowered, as was shown by contact angle measurements. The presence of the polymer on the glass surface was also demonstrated by XPS measurements. The interfacial properties of coated glass plates and polymer matrices were determined by performing lap-shear tests.