Characterization of the interface in polymer-silica composites containing an acrylic silane coupling agent

Microscopic dynamics of the interfacial layer and macroscopic mechanical properties of [3-(acryloxy)propyl]trimethoxysilane (APMS) at a polymer-silica interface were studied using NMR and three-point bending tests. Wide-line deuterium NMR studies of deuterium-enriched [3-(acryloxy)propyl]trimethoxysilane-d (APMS-d), showed that when chemically bonded to silica, the acrylic group of APMS moved rapidly at the interface with air, more slowly when coated with a poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) overlayer, and slowest when copolymerized with methyl methacrylate. A two-component line shape was found for the coated composite and these were assigned to relative immobile and mobile surface groups. From three-point bend tests, the PMMA/glass-fiber composite, made from glass laminates treated with APMS, had almost two times the flexural strength of a composite made from glass laminates not treated with APMS. Electron micrographs of the fracture surfaces revealed that the untreated fibers were smooth, while those from the APMS-treated glass were rougher, indicating the presence of polymer at the interface.