Structure modification by solvent addition into TEOS/PDMS hybrid materials

Sol-gel method has been used to obtain TEOS/PDMS based hybrid materials. By maintaining constant both composition and reaction parameters, the hybrid structure of these materials has been modified by adding solvents during aging. Four different solvents have been chosen attending to their polarity. In order to study the effect of solvent addition during the whole aging period, such solvents were added at different times from gelation time to 10 days. The extension of hydrolysis and condensation step can be modified because of the increase of the mobility of reactants by solvent addition. Moreover, structural changes into the hybrid materials are produced due to different ratings in polycondensation process induced by chemical characteristics of added solvents. In that way, solvent polarities are closely related with properties and textural characteristics of these materials. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.