Reduction of volatile organic compound emission. I. Synthesis and characterization of alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 115; no. 1; pp. 79 - 90
• Main Authors: Hergenrother, William L., Lin, Chenchy J., Hilton, Ashley S., Hogan, Terrence E., Brumbaugh, Dennis R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 05.01.2010; Wiley
• Subjects: Alcohols; Applied sciences; Composites; Density; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Liquid chromatography; Organic compounds; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Reduction; Reproduction; Rubber; Shielding; silane; silica; silsesquioxane; Technology of polymers; VOC; SBR; Silsesquioxane polymer; Molecular structure; Organic siloxane; Alcohol; Volatile organic compound; Dispersion reinforced material; Condensation polymerization; VOC; Experimental study; Reducing agent; Silica; Coupling agent; Hydrolysis; Vulcanizate; silane; Preparation; silsesquioxane; rubber; Reaction mechanism; Kinetics
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.30967

The preparation and characterization of a class of alkoxy‐modified silsesquioxane (AMS) compounds containing less than 5 wt % of latent alcohol is described. The AMS derived from octyl triethoxysilane (OTES) behaves as a shielding agent in silica‐filled rubbers while significantly reducing the volatile organic compounds that are released during the manufacture of rubber articles. Analysis of AMS by high pressure liquid chromatography and 29Si NMR shows that it has a plethora of structures present that can best be described as a highly condensed opened oligomeric, branched arrangement of silsesquioxanes units. This structure is moisture stable, hydrocarbon soluble, and reactive with silica at compounding temperatures. The AMS has been prepared by acid‐ or base‐catalyzed hydrolysis and condensation in alcohol solution to form a product that often separates from the lower density reaction mixture. The kinetics of the AMS formation was examined and showed two separate rate processes occurring. The co‐AMS prepared from OTES and 3‐mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane yielded an effective shielding agent and coupling agent when used in silica‐filled vulcanizates. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010