α-Amino acid−β-hydroxysiloxanes prepared previously by our
group were coupled to E-glass fibers to
gain a better understanding of the surface processes at the
polymer−glass interface of composite materials.
Use of DRIFT (diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform
spectroscopy), XPS (X-ray photoelectron
spectroscopy), and SEM techniques allowed for the qualitative and
quantitative determination of such
processes. Our studies indicate that binding to the E-glass is
occurring through different mechanisms,
primarily hydrogen bonding, as evidenced by DRIFT and SEM. XPS
studies confirm that the amino group
is binding to the surface, as evidenced by the formation of two amino
states, a covalent nonprotonated and
an ionic protonated form. A theoretical model depicting the
binding of polymer to E-glass fibers has also
been proposed.