Synthesis and characterization of hybrid materials consisting of n-octadecyltriethoxysilane by using n-hexadecylamine as surfactant and Q(0) and T(0) cross-linkers.

Novel hybrid xerogel materials were synthesized by a sol-gel procedure. n-octadecyltriethoxysilane was co-condensed with and without different cross-linkers using Q(0) and T(0) mono-functionalized organosilanes in the presence of n-hexadecylamine with different hydroxyl silica functional groups at the surface. These polymer networks have shown new properties, for example, a high degree of cross-linking and hydrolysis. Two different synthesis steps were carried out: simple self-assembly followed by sol-gel transition and precipitation of homogenous sols. Due to the lack of solubility of these materials, the compositions of the new materials were determined by infrared spectroscopy, (13)C and (29)Si CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.