Molecular network reinforcement of sol-gel glasses

Abstract

The mechanical properties of sol-gel condensation of carbon bridging organosilicates were used to prepare tougher organosilicate glasses by the incorporation of carbon bridging units between silicon atoms present in the organosilicate network. The porous films were generated by using the non-ionic surfactant as the pore generator followed by a templating mechanism where the porosity was created through thermal decomposition of the liable amphiphilic organic oligomer after resin vitrification. The fracture energies of glass films is found to vary with film density but are considerably higher than the other glass types. The cohesive fracture energies measured for dense glass films are comparatively higher than those measured for pre silica.