Structural evolution of an organic/inorganic oxide glass studied by differential scanning calorimetry and mechanical spectroscopy

Abstract
Organic/inorganic 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate/SiO₂ based glass was synthesized by sol-gel process. One objective of the present work was to study the evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties during transformation from hybrid alcogel to hybrid glass. Results of measurements about physical properties have been obtained by mechanical tests. Microstructural investigation methods such as DSC and Mechanical Spectroscopy were used to get more informations about molecular network behaviour with thermal treatments. This paper shows that physical properties depend on time because of relaxation effects. These ones have to be measured with a well controlled synthesis chemistry to reach a defined structural state.