And 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane Research Articles

Tensile Properties, Water Uptake, and Thermal Properties of Polypropylene/Waste Pulverized Tire/Kenaf (PP/WPT/KNF) Composites

The effects of kenaf (KNF) loading and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) on the tensile properties, water uptake, and thermal properties of KNF-filled polypropylene (PP)/waste pulverized tire (WPT) composites were investigated. The composites were prepared using a Thermo Haake Polydrive internal mixer, where KNF loadings (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 phr) and constant PP/WPT (70/30) were used. The results showed that the tensile modulus and water uptake increased, but tensile strength and elongation at break decreased, with increased KNF loading. The composites with APTES exhibited a higher tensile strength and tensile modulus, but lower elongation at break and water uptake than composites without APTES. The presence of APTES enhanced the interfacial adhesion between PP/WPT matrices and KNF. Thermal stability of PP/WPT/KNF composites increased with KNF loading, and was found slightly higher, but insignificant for composites with APTES. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra analysis was performed to study the interactions among the PP, WPT, KNF, and the ethoxy functional groups in APTES.

Organoalkoxysilane-Grafted Silica Composites for Acidic and Basic Gas Adsorption

With the prevalence of air quality issues in our society, the ability to remove toxic gases from air is a necessity. This work addresses the development of biphasic, nanostructured, organoalkoxysilane-grafted, siliceous materials for use in single pass filters of various types for the removal of acidic and basic gases from humid air. Materials exhibit high single pass capacities for sulfur dioxide, a representative acid-forming gas, or ammonia, a representative basic gas. The nanostructured siliceous support provides initial ammonia capacity, and grafted amine and carbonyl groups provide desired functional chemistries for sulfur dioxide and enhanced ammonia capacities. Methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MAPS)-MCM-41 has the highest ammonia capacity at about 7 mol/kg at 1500 ppmv and 23 °C, and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-MCM-41 has the highest sulfur dioxide capacity at 0.85 mol/kg at 500 ppmv and 23 °C. These biphasic materials exhibit high adsorption capacity for two distinct gases and are promising candidates as adsorbents for protection from toxic industrial gases.

Effects of barium on luminescent properties of Sr2−Ba SiO4:Eu2+ nanoparticles

Sr2−xBaxSiO4:Eu2+ nanopowders were synthesized by a co-precipitation method using alkaline earth metal nitrates, europium nitrate hydrate, and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as starting materials. The substitution of Ba2+ ions for Sr2+ ions caused the phase transition from β- to α′-Sr2SiO4. SEM micrographs exhibited uniform anisotropic nanoparticles with high aspect ratios. The photoluminescence (PL) excitation spectra of Sr2−xBaxSiO4:Eu2+ consisted of two bands originated from Eu(I) and (II) sites, respectively, resulting in two corresponding emission bands at around 473 and 543 nm. The PL spectra exhibited the red- or blue-shift of dominant emission wavelengths, depending on the Ba2+ content.

Synthesis and Formation Mechanism of Aminated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

We report the room temperature formation of aminated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (NH2-MSNs) by means of co-condensation of different molar ratios of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) in the synthesis feed. The resulting materials are characterized by a combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and N2 adsorption/desorption measurements. Analysis reveals that an increase in APTES loading (mol %) leads to structural transitions in the MSNs from hexagonal (0–49 mol %) to cubic Pm3̅n (54–64 mol %) to disordered at very high APTES amounts (69 mol %). Investigation of structural evolution during cubic Pm3̅n particle synthesis reveals early particle formation stages that are surprisingly similar to those discussed in recent literature on nonclassical single crystal growth. These include significant heterogeneities in particle density despite crystallographic orientation across the entire particle as well as particle growth via addition of preformed and prestructured silica clusters. Syntheses at varying pH reveal further details of the structure formation process. The results pose fundamental questions about the relation between formation mechanisms of classical crystalline materials and mesoscopically ordered, locally amorphous materials.

Synthesis and characterization of organic/inorganic epoxy nanocomposites from poly(aminopropyl/phenyl)silsesquioxanes

AbstractOrganic/inorganic epoxy nanocomposites containing diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA), 4‐methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA) and poly(aminopropyl/phenyl) silsesquioxanes (PAPPS) were prepared and characterized. PAPPS were synthesized via fluoride‐catalyzed cage formation from random‐structured poly(phenyl)silsesquioxane (PPS) and 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) using tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) catalyst containing substantial water. The PPS/APTES stoichiometric ratios were varied. The FTIR, 1H, solid‐state 29Si‐NMR studies show that PAPPS probably consists of cages, partial cages, and some linear structures containing phenyl and aminopropyl functional groups. The amine content was determined by back titration and elemental analysis. In comparison with neat epoxy, incorporation of these materials can improve the resultant thermal stabilities, raise glass transition temperatures (Tgs), and reduce coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of epoxy nanocomposites as confirmed by TG/DTA, DMA and TMA tests, respectively. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013

Synthesis and characterization of novel ultrathin polyimide fibers via sol–gel process and electrospinning

AbstractUltrathin polyimide fibers were prepared using the organoalkoxysilanes (3‐triethoxysilylpropyl)succinic anhydride (TESP‐SA) and (3‐amino)propyl triethoxysilane (APTES). In the first step, a viscous solution of the corresponding poly(amic) acid (PAA) was produced and electrospun at various high voltages. The fiber diameter distributions of the as‐prepared fibers were measured. The thermal imidization at 220°C resulted in the formation of an organic–inorganic hybrid polyimide fiber assembly as shown by FTIR/ATR. Surface morphology was investigated by means of SEM images. TGA measurements made evident that the prepared fibers begin to decompose at 380°C. XRPD pattern of the fibers revealed that a certain ladder‐like order exists in the fibers. The water vapor absorption of the thermally (220°C) treated ultrathin polyimide fibers was evaluated. The fiber assemblies treated at 110°C were water soluble, whereas those treated at 220°C were insoluble in water and organic solvents. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013

Amine-functionalized thermoplastic polyurethane electrospun fibers prepared by co-electrospinning with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and preparation of conductive fiber mats

Amine-functionalized thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) electrospun fibers with controllable number of amine groups on fiber surfaces are prepared by co-electrospinning of TPU and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) in DMF/THF 4:6, followed by thermal treatment at 60 °C in a ventilated oven for 24 h. The morphology of the fibers was observed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), showing a decrease in average fiber diameter with increasing APS content, resulted from significantly increased solution conductivity. The amine groups are homogeneously distributed on the fiber surfaces, as revealed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) Si-mapping. Both the Si content measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and NH2 content obtained by chemical titration show an enrichment of APS condensate on the fiber surfaces, which is explained by the higher mobility of APS to TPU during electrospinning. Gold nanoparticles of 16 nm are homogeneously adsorbed on the amine-functionalized TPU fibers. A conductive gold layer with a surface resistivity of 0.3 Ω/sq is formed after electroless plating using the adsorbed gold nanoparticles as the seeds, demonstrating the usefulness of the amine groups in the preparation of TPU fibers with added functionalities.

Polymer blend lithography: A versatile method to fabricate nanopatterned self-assembled monolayers

A rapid and cost-effective lithographic method, polymer blend lithography (PBL), is reported to produce patterned self-assembled monolayers (SAM) on solid substrates featuring two or three different chemical functionalities. For the pattern generation we use the phase separation of two immiscible polymers in a blend solution during a spin-coating process. By controlling the spin-coating parameters and conditions, including the ambient atmosphere (humidity), the molar mass of the polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and the mass ratio between the two polymers in the blend solution, the formation of a purely lateral morphology (PS islands standing on the substrate while isolated in the PMMA matrix) can be reproducibly induced. Either of the formed phases (PS or PMMA) can be selectively dissolved afterwards, and the remaining phase can be used as a lift-off mask for the formation of a nanopatterned functional silane monolayer. This “monolayer copy” of the polymer phase morphology has a topographic contrast of about 1.3 nm. A demonstration of tuning of the PS island diameter is given by changing the molar mass of PS. Moreover, polymer blend lithography can provide the possibility of fabricating a surface with three different chemical components: This is demonstrated by inducing breath figures (evaporated condensed entity) at higher humidity during the spin-coating process. Here we demonstrate the formation of a lateral pattern consisting of regions covered with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (FDTS) and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), and at the same time featuring regions of bare SiOx. The patterning process could be applied even on meter-sized substrates with various functional SAM molecules, making this process suitable for the rapid preparation of quasi two-dimensional nanopatterned functional substrates, e.g., for the template-controlled growth of ZnO nanostructures [1].

Poly(acrylic acid)–Poly(ethylene glycol) Layers on Positively Charged Surface Coatings: Molecular Structure, Protein Resistance, and Application to Single Protein Deposition

A new copolymer (PAA-PEG2000) has been designed, consisting of a negatively charged poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) backbone to which poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains with a molecular weight of about 2 kDa were grafted in a molecular ratio of 3:10. It readily adsorbs to positively charged surfaces and may be considered to be the anionic counterpart of PEG-grafted poly(l-lysine) (PLL-PEG), which was first described by Kenausis et al. and is widely used to render negatively charged surfaces protein-resistant. The synthesis of PAA-PEG2000 can be carried out in aqueous solution at room temperature and does not require any sophisticated techniques such as handling in an inert gas atmosphere. Using ellipsometry and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), the film structure has been carefully analyzed for copolymer adsorption onto three different positively charged surfaces, namely, thin layers of poly(allylamine) (PAH), poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES). Besides the film thickness, the conformation of the PEG chains and their orientation with respect to the surface normal appear to be important parameters for the protein resistance of the films. Although PAA-PEG2000 adsorbed to PAH and PEI renders the surfaces inert, only partial protein resistance has been observed if the copolymer is deposited on APTES. In a model application, we have generated heterogeneous surfaces composed of isolated small Au nanoparticles (AuNP's) embedded in a protein-resistant layer of PAA-PEG2000 and demonstrated that the AuNP's can serve as adsorption sites for single protein species. In the future, these nanopatterned surfaces may be used for the investigation of isolated proteins.

<I>γ</I>-Radiation Synthesis of Nano/Micrometer-Scale Single-Crystalline Large Gold Plates

An original solution phase approach was developed for the synthesis of single-crystal Au nanoprims with anisotropic structure of triangular, hexagonal and truncated triangular, nanometre or micrometer scale, and nanometer thickness. It has been confirmed that the Fe3O4 magnetite nanoparticles and (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) coated on the magnetite nanoparticles play important roles in the formation of Au nanoplates. Significantly, such Au nanoplates exhibit remarkable optical properties, both the dipole plasmon resonance and the quadrupole plasmon resonance were observed. And the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern shows the nanoplates obtained were single crystals with (111) plans as two basal surfaces. The growth of gold nanoplates in the solution with time had been monitored by microscopic and spectroscopic techniques to allow the detection of several key intermediates in the growth process. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the production of large planar gold nanostructures with gamma irradiation in combination of another nanocomposite materials (APTES-Fe3O4).

Photofunctional metalloporphyrins functionalized mesoporous hybrids phen-Ln(LSi)-SBA-15 (Ln = Nd, Yb, L = porphyrin derivatives)

SBA-15 mesoporous silica has been functionalized with two kinds of macrocylic porphyrin derivatives (meso-(tetra(p-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (THPP), protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) through condensation approach of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the presence of Pluronic P123 surfactant as a template. THPP and PPIX grafted to the coupling agents 3-(triethoxysilyl)-propyl isocyanate (TEPIC) and 3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), respectively are used as the precursor for the preparation of mesoporous materials. Novel organic–inorganic mesoporous luminescent hybrid containing Ln3+ (Nd3+, Yb3+) complexes covalently attached to the functionalized ordered mesoporous SBA-15 and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) as second ligand, which are designated as phen-Ln-THPP-SBA-15 and phen-Ln-PPIX-SBA-15, respectively, are obtained by sol–gel process. The resulting mesoporous hybrids are characterized by FT-IR spectra, Small-angle X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption–desorption measurement, thermal analysis and spectroscopy. It is found that they all have high surface area, uniform in the mesostructure and good crystallinity. Measurement of the photoluminescence properties show the Ln3+ covalently bonded mesoporous material exhibit the characteristic NIR luminescence of Nd3+ and Yb3+.

Improving the controlled release of water-insoluble emodin from amino-functionalized mesoporous silica

Several types of amino-functionalized mesoporous silica, including F5-SBA-15, F10-SBA-15, and F15-SBA-15 were prepared through co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) in varying molar ratios (5mol%, 10mol%, and 15mol%) via a hydrothermal process. The materials obtained were characterized by means of small-angle X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption, Fourier transformed infrared spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Increasing APTES molar ratios decreased the degree of orderliness of the functionalized mesoporous silica. Pure and amino-functionalized SBA-15 samples were employed as supports for the controlled release of water-insoluble drug emodin. Loading experiments showed that drug loading capacities mainly depended on the surface areas and pore diameters of the carriers. Controlled release profiles of emodin-loaded samples were studied in phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4), and results indicated that the emodin release rate could be controlled by surface amino-functionalized carriers. Emodin loaded on functionalized mesoporous supports exhibited a lower release rate than that of loaded on pure SBA-15, emodin loaded on F10-SBA-15 showed the smallest release amount (71.74wt%) after stirring in PBS for 60h. Findings suggest that functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 is a promising carrier for achieving prolonged release time periods.

Design and characterization of a novel sensor combined imaging and zinc ion sensing

A novel fluorescent sensor for Zn(II) detection and imaging is developed by incorporating 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) and Rhodamine B (RB) in a sol–gel film on an end face of a gradient index (GRIN) lens rod which is tightly connected with an imaging fiber. This technique has high-quality imaging capabilities for observing remote sample while measuring Zn(II). The RB and PAN employed in combination as the indicator for zinc-sensing is much cheaper than that of the other zinc-sensitive fluorescent dyes. The sol is prepared by base catalyzed hydrolysis of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) with the addition of 3-glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GLYMO) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), which is more suitable for Zn(II) detection. The sensor has the linear range of Zn(II) from 0.1 to 1mmol/L. Simultaneously, it has the capabilities of real-time imaging with the whole system’s resolution of 18.73 line pairs/mm. This bi-functional sensor has potential applications in in situ biosensing and other remote measurements.

Preliminary Study of the Anticancer Applications of Mesoporous Materials Functionalized with the Natural Product Betulinic Acid

Dehydrated MCM-41 (S1) was functionalized under nitrogen with 3-chloropropyltriethoxysilane (CPTS) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) by grafting in toluene at 80 °C over 48 h to give the corresponding materials S2 and S3, respectively. Subsequently, S2 and S3 were suspended in methanol and reacted in a nitrogen atmosphere with betulinic acid (BA) for 48 h at 65 °C (in the presence of the triethylamine of S2) to give the BA-functionalized materials S4 and S5. All materials studied were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, nitrogen gas sorption, multinuclear MAS NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, UV spectroscopy, IR, SEM, and TEM. To study the release of BA, S4 and S5 were suspended in solutions simulating various body pH conditions (pH 7.4, 5.5, and 3.0). Results of the quantification of BA release by HPLC for S4 show a pH-dependent and very slow BA release following a logarithmic tendency, while S5 behaves differently, also pH-dependent but, in this case, fast release of BA which requires only days for total release of the therapeutic compound. In addition, the cytotoxic activity of all synthesized materials against various cancer cell lines was studied. The results show the absence of an antiproliferative effect on the surfaces without BA S1-S3, while an antiproliferative effect was observed with S4 and S5 and was attributed to the release of BA in the medium.

Rare earth hybrid materials of organically modified silica covalently bonded to a GaN matrix: multicomponent assembly and multi-color luminescence

Three kinds of rare earth hybrid materials with enhanced thermostability and photoluminescence properties have been prepared for the first time by using a functionalized GaN matrix as one of the building blocks. A number of silane coupling agents (isocyanate triethoxysilane (ICTES), 3-chloropropyl triethoxysilane (CPTES) and 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES)) behave as the covalent linkages for modification by both hydroxylation of GaN and functionalized photoactive ligands (4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) and nitrobenzoyl chloride (NBC)), resulting in the precursors (MBA-ICTES-GaN, HBA-CPTES-GaN and NBC-APTES-GaN). Subsequently, multicomponent photofunctional rare earth hybrid materials with the three precursors and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) are assembled and characterized by their FTIR spectra, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, XRD patterns, and photoluminescent behaviour (luminescence, lifetime, quantum efficiency, and energy transfer). These results reveal that the Eu(3+) hybrids with the MBA-ICTES-GaN unit have a better luminescence intensity ratio, higher quantum efficiency and longer lifetime than those with the HBA-CPTES-GaN and NBC-APTES-GaN units. Meanwhile the hybrid Phen-Tb-HBA-CPTES-GaN possesses a stronger characteristic emission of Tb(3+) ions than the other two hybrids (Phen-Tb-MBA-ICTES-GaN and Phen-Tb-NBC-APTES-GaN). Moreover, two-color-based hybrid materials are fabricated by combining different molar ratios of Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) in the same system (Phen-RE-MBA-ICTES-GaN) with emission at a wavelength of 331 nm (RE = Eu, Tb) and yellow luminescence can be achieved.

Silica stabilized iron particles toward anti-corrosion magnetic polyurethane nanocomposites

A sol–gel method is used to introduce fluorescent silica shells with tunable thickness on the spherical carbonyl iron particles (CIP) by a combined hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). Both gelatin B and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) are used as primers to render the metal particle surface compatible with TEOS. The silica shell is formed through the hydrolysis and condensation of TEOS on the primer-treated CIP and the shell thickness can be controlled by varying the ratio of chemicals, such as TEOS and ammonia. The silica shell on the particle surface is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The magnetic and anti-corrosive properties of the CIP and CIP-silica particles have been evaluated. A conformal coating shell is confirmed surrounding the CIP against their etching/dissolution by protons. Polyurethane composites filled with CIP and CIP-silica particles are fabricated with a surface initiated polymerization (SIP) method. A salt fog industrial-level test indicates an improved anti-corrosive behavior of the CIP-silica/PU composites than that of the CIP/PU composites. Both CIP-silica particles and CIP-silica/PU composites exhibit better thermal stability and antioxidation capability than their CIP and CIP/PU counterparts, respectively due to the stronger barrier effect of the noble silica shell. The insulating silica shell decreases the efficiency of the electron transportation among the particles and thus leads to a higher resistivity in the composites.

Synthesis of organic/inorganic hybrid composite membranes and their structural and conductivity properties

The present article describes the use of a less expensive non-perfluorinated polymer (polyvinyl alcohol, PVA), heteropolyacid (HPA), glutaraldehyde and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) for the formation of high proton-conducting hybrid composite membranes. The conductivity of the PVA/PMA/Gl/APTES hybrid composite membranes was measured under varying conditions of temperature (from −20°C to 140°C) and relative humidity (from 30 to 90%). Conductivity values in the range of 10−3–10−1Scm−1 were obtained for the hybrid membranes. These free-standing flexible films were mechanically stable and the corresponding composite membranes were thermally stable up to 300°C. Their swelling ratio was calculated for dry and wet conditions at room temperature.

Purification of chitosan by using sol–gel immobilized pepsin deproteinization

Abstract The residual proteins in commercially available chitosan products potentially induce immunological responses, thus compromising their clinical usage. Conventional deproteinization processes use diluted base and heat. However this heterogeneous hydrolysis is inefficient. In the present study, pepsin was selected and immobilized with tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The immobilized pepsin was utilized in an alternative approach for the purification of chitosan. Optimum deproteinization was carried out at pH 4.5 and 45 °C. Amino acid analysis proved a removal of 53.8–80.4% protein in chitosan after 160 min incubation, which was more efficient than conventional sodium hydroxide deproteinization. When chitosan was deproteinizated by immobilized pepsin, its molecular weight decreased, but in a much milder manner than the free pepsin. The study revealed that immobilized pepsin was an efficient method for deproteinizing chitosan.

Dummy molecularly imprinted polymers on silica particles for selective solid-phase extraction of tetrabromobisphenol A from water samples

Surface molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) on silica gel particles for highly selective recognition of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) were prepared by a sol-gel process. Diphenolic Acid (DPA) and bisphenol A (BPA), whose structures were similar to that of TBBPA were selected as dummy template molecules, and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and tetramethoxysilane (TEOS) were chosen as functional monomer and cross-linker, respectively. The obtained materials were characterized by FT-IR with diffuse reflectance accessory and the results indicated polymers were successfully grafted on the surface of silica gel supporters. The maximum static adsorption capacities for TBBPA of the DPA-MIPs, BPA-MIPs and non-imprinted polymers (NIPs) were 45, 38 and 22 mg g(-1) respectively, and the results of dynamic adsorption showed that the adsorption equilibrium can be achieved within 15 min for DPA- and BPA-MIPs. Both the DPA- and BPA-MIPs have higher selectivity for TBBPA than that of NIP when they are used as the sorbents for the solid phase extraction (SPE), while the adsorption property of DPA-MIPs was superior to that of BPA-MIPs at low concentration levels of TBBPA. The results indicated DPA-MIPs had more high affinity binding sites for TBBPA, which demonstrated that the strong interactions between the template and the functional monomer were favorable to form high affinity binding sites and improve the selectivity of the polymers. A corresponding analytical method for determination of the TBBPA residues in environmental samples was developed. The recoveries of TBBPA in tap water, river water and lake water were in the range from 85% to 97% with relative standard deviations below 7%, and its limit of detection can reach 2 ng mL(-1).

Organic–inorganic nanocomposites for shape memory effects

Polyurethane (PU)–silica nanocomposites were synthesized by sol–gel reactions between the surface silanol groups of fumed silica and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) terminated PU with a broad range of silica contents (1–5%) with two different molecular weights of PU. It was found that the silica particles that were incorporated into the polymer chains were well dispersed in the PU matrix and acted as multifunctional cross-links and reinforcing fillers; in addition, the silica particles augmented the initial and rubbery moduli, yield, and break strengths, as well as the glass transition temperature. Moreover, 98–99% shape fixity and shape recovery with minimum cyclic hysteresis were obtained with only 1% silica particle loading.