Characteristics of film formation by the products of tetraethoxysilane hydrolysis

Tetraethoxysilane (TES), which improves the physical and mechanical properties of coatings significantly, is used as a modifier of aqueous polymer dispersions. For elucidation of the nature of the modifying action of TES, the composition of the products of its hydrolysis in a purely aqueous medium was studied earlier. However, there is not sufficient information in the literature on the film-formation process or on the composition of the polymeric hydrolysis products formed under these conditions, and out of practical interest new data on the subject are obtained. Results are: 1) films based on the products of TES hydrolysis are highly cross-linked inorganic silanol-containing polymers, 2) for modification of polymers in aqueous dispersions, hydrolysis of TES in presence of acid catalysts ensures formation of compounds with high contents of silanol groups, capable of forming intermolecular bonds with reactive groups of the polymers in the dispersions.