Cross-condensation reactions in an organically modified silica sol-gel

摘要

High resolution (sup 29)Si NMR has been used to study the extent of cross condensation taking place in a hybrid organic/inorganic sol-gel system. Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and methltriethoxysilane (MTEOS) sol-gels were chosen for this purpose. The sols were prepared by acid catalyzed hydrolysis of TEOS and MTEOS with a H(sub 2)O/Si ratio of 0.3. (sup 29)Si NMR shows signals due to both self-condensation and cross-condensation between TEOS and MTEOS. Resonance assignments were made by comparing the positions and intensities of peaks in the spectra of single and multicomponent systems. It was found that, within experimental error, the self- and cross-condensation rates are equal and that extensive molecular level mixing takes place during the early stages of the reaction.