Modelling the interaction of hybrid inorganic-organic molecules on oxide surfaces: glycidyl isopropyl ether and epoxyhexane on a g-Al₂O₃(111)mimic

The hybrid inorganic-organic molecule gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane is used as an adhesion promoter because of its ability to act as a molecular bridge between chemically different phases. In this paper we concentrate on the interaction of the organofunctional glycidoxy end chain of this molecule on a gamma-Al2O3(111) mimic created by oxidation of NiAl(110). In order to understand better the interaction of this functionality, the glycidoxy moiety was modelled using glycidyl isopropyl ether and epoxyhexane. Reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy studies of these model compounds demonstrate that monolayer adsorption on the gamma-Al2O3 film is non-dissociative, with both molecules being only weakly perturbed, supporting the idea that the organofunctional end group in hybrid inorganic-organic adhesion promoters remains intact, available to react potentially with the adhesive on application. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.