Sol-gel processing of polysilatrane

Abstract

Silatrane complexes are organosilicon compounds, which can be synthesized directly from the reaction of very inexpensive compounds SiO₂ and trialkanolamine. The complexes contain silicon-nitrogen coordinated bonds in their chemical structure are generally hydrolytically stable and have unique physiological properties, as compared with other organosilicon compounds. Silatrane complexes are appropriate to be used as ceramic precursors to process ceramics or glass by the sol-gel chemical processing technique. The processing conditions affect the gelation time. The higher hydrolysis rates result in faster gelation time, measured by cone-and-plate rheometer. Moreover, the surface area of pyrolyzed products are affected by hydrolysis rates and the pyrolysis conditions. Using this technique, the pyrolyzed products, SiO₂, have a homogeneous microporous structure that results in higher surface area (313-417 m² /g).