Sol-gel process of alkoxysilanes in an elastomer medium

The influence of different mixtures of di-, tri- and tetraalkoxysilanes on the synthesis and character of silica filler particles prepared by a sol-gel reaction in an elastomer medium was investigated. Silica fillers containing organic substituents with basic properties were synthesized in acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, with and without carboxyl groups, as well as in decane as a suspension medium, which was treated as an elastomer model. Si-29 NMR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine the structure of the resulting silica fillers, and their dispersion in the elastomeric medium. Water, alcohol or other polar solvents were not used in the process of creating the silica fillers as it is impossible to introduce them into the elastomer. (c) 2005 Society of Chemical Industry.