Innovative Applications of Traditional Silane Coupling Agent KH-560, 2530-83-8, 3-Glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane

Organic silicon materials naturally possess excellent properties such as high and low temperature resistance, water repellency, electrical insulation, and weather resistance, making them closely related to various sectors of the national economy. Silane coupling agents are a type of organic silicon material, and their development has allowed almost all organic functional groups to be introduced into the molecules. This characteristic makes them an indispensable tool for achieving "new productive forces."

Chemical Name: 3-Glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane

English Name: 3-Glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane

Alias: 3-(2,3-Epoxypropoxy)propyltrimethoxysilane

CAS Number: 2530-83-8

Molecular Formula: C9H20O5Si

Molecular Weight: 236.34

International Brand Reference:

• Product Model - Supplier
• Silquest? A-187 - Momentive (formerly GE Silicones, USA)
• Z-6040 - Dow Corning, USA
• GLYMO - Evonik (formerly Degussa), Germany
• GENIOSIL? GF 80 - Wacker, Germany
• KBM-403 - Shin-Etsu, Japan
• Sila-Ace? S510 - Chisso, Japan
• E6720 - UCT (United Chemical Technologies, Inc), USA

Named by the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the domestic general brand is KH-560. It is a versatile traditional epoxy silane coupling agent. Its molecular structure contains an epoxy functional group and three hydrolyzable alkoxy groups. This dual reactivity enhances the bonding, adhesion, and compatibility between inorganic materials (such as glass, metals, fillers) and organic polymers (such as thermosetting resins, plastics, elastomers). It can also improve the mechanical properties of resin-based composites or enhance the adhesion strength and water resistance of resin coatings. In various applications, it can serve as a coupling agent, adhesion promoter, curing agent, or surface modifier for pigments and fillers.

Physicochemical Indicators:

Reaction Principle: Under the presence of water, the alkoxy groups of KH-560 hydrolyze to form reactive silanol groups, releasing methanol as a byproduct. These silanol groups can condense with hydroxyl groups on the surfaces of various inorganic materials (substrates or pigments/fillers) to form chemical bonds. Meanwhile, its epoxy groups can undergo ring-opening reactions under heat or acidic/basically catalyzed conditions to react with suitable polymers (containing primary amines, hydroxyls, carboxyls, epoxy groups, anhydrides, etc.), achieving coupling and connection between inorganic fillers (or substrates) and organic polymer materials through the aforementioned dual reactions.

The hydrolysis of KH-560 requires the use of organic acids (such as formic acid, acetic acid, etc.) as catalysts. The specific method involves adjusting the pH of water to around 4, then adding the silane and stirring for at least 15 minutes until the silane is completely dissolved and the solution is clear and transparent. The hydrolysate of KH-560 is unstable, and it is recommended to use it within 24 hours. If the solution becomes cloudy, it indicates that the silane has partially self-condensed into silane polymers (silicone) and has become ineffective.

Suitable inorganic materials for KH-560 include glass, glass fibers, glass wool, mineral wool, mica, quartz, and other siliceous materials, as well as aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, kaolin, talc, steel, zinc, aluminum, and their oxides. However, it is generally ineffective for fillers without hydroxyl groups, such as calcium carbonate, graphite, carbon black, and barium sulfate.

Suitable polymers for KH-560 include (but are not limited to) phenolic, epoxy, urea-formaldehyde, polyurethane, acrylic, polyester, silicone, polysulfide, PVAC resins, and plastics like nylon, PBT, and PET.

Traditional Uses: KH-560 is used as an additive or formulated into primer solutions for coatings, inks, adhesives, and sealants based on polyurethane, silicone, epoxy, phenolic, acrylic, polysulfide, and urea-formaldehyde. It enhances the adhesion, corrosion resistance, weather resistance, boil resistance, and scrub resistance of resin coatings, extends their service life, and improves the dispersion and bonding of pigments and fillers in the resin phase.

It is utilized in polyurethane resin sand casting and resin molds to enhance the bonding strength and water resistance between resin and silica sand or abrasives.

For plastics (PBT, nylon, etc.), rubber, and resins (epoxy, etc.) filled with mineral fillers or glass fibers, it improves the dispersion and bonding of fillers and fibers in the resin phase, enhancing the mechanical strength of the products.

Surface treatment of inorganic mineral pigments (such as silica flour) and flame retardants (such as magnesium hydroxide) and glass fibers improves their dispersion, compatibility, bonding strength, and reinforcement in the resin phase.

Its hydrolysate can be used alone or combined with zirconium salts and other components as a silanization treatment for metal surfaces, providing sealing, protection, and rust prevention, while enhancing the adhesion of coatings during metal spraying, serving as a substitute for traditional, environmentally harmful metal surface treatments like phosphating and passivation.

Innovative Applications: Based on the principle that "structure determines performance," the innovative applications of KH-560 in various fields have garnered significant attention. The epoxy group and three alkoxy groups in its molecular structure provide unique chemical reactivity, demonstrating exceptional performance in various material modifications.

1. Interface Enhancement in Nanocomposites: KH-560 is widely used in nanocomposites, particularly to enhance compatibility between inorganic nanoparticles and organic matrices. For example, in epoxy resin-based nanocomposites with silica, KH-560 reacts with the resin matrix through its epoxy group, while its methoxy group reacts with hydroxyl groups on the silica surface, significantly improving the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the composites.
2. Surface Modification of Biomaterials: In the field of biomedical materials, KH-560 is used to functionalize material surfaces to enhance compatibility with biological environments. For instance, in preparing polymer coatings with antibacterial properties, KH-560 can serve as a carrier for functional groups, ensuring strong binding to the polymer matrix while introducing antibacterial groups on the surface. This approach provides new avenues for the development of medical devices and biomaterials.
3. Application in Smart Materials: KH-560 also shows potential in smart materials. For example, in the preparation of self-healing materials, KH-560 combines with polymers containing self-healing functionalities through its epoxy groups, imparting self-healing capabilities to the materials. By adjusting the amount of KH-560 and reaction conditions, precise control over material properties can be achieved, enabling the development of smart materials with specific functions.
4. Development of High-Performance Adhesives and Coatings: KH-560's application in high-performance adhesives and coatings represents another significant area of innovation. Due to its epoxy group's reactivity under acidic and basic conditions, it can form strong chemical bonds with various substrates (such as metals, glass, ceramics), leading to the development of adhesives and coatings with high adhesion, weather resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance. Additionally, KH-560 is used to create environmentally friendly coatings, reducing the use of organic solvents and enhancing product sustainability.
5. Interface Enhancement in New Energy Materials: In new energy materials (such as lithium batteries and electric vehicle batteries), KH-560 significantly improves the electrochemical performance and lifespan of batteries by enhancing the interface compatibility between electrode materials and electrolytes. Its modification of battery material surfaces can enhance the conductivity and stability of electrode materials, thereby improving overall battery performance.
6. Chemical Modification of Traditional Wet Strength Agents: KH-560 is used to chemically modify traditional wet strength agents to prepare a new type of environmentally friendly high solid content wet strength agent, CPAE resin. This resin significantly enhances the wet strength of paper during the papermaking process.
7. Modification of Fly Ash: KH-560 is used to modify fly ash and combine it with polyurethane to obtain low-cost, high-mechanical-performance mineral-reinforced polyurethane materials.
8. Design and Preparation of Stable Superhydrophobic Water-Based Epoxy Resins: KH-560 is utilized to design and prepare water-based epoxy resins with stable superhydrophobic properties, which are very useful in certain specialized applications.
9. Synthesis of Octafunctional Glycidyl Ether-Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes (POSS-EP): KH-560 is used as a raw material to synthesize octafunctional glycidyl ether-POSS for high-performance composite materials.
10. Application in the Electronics Industry: In the electronics industry, KH-560 is used to enhance the peel strength and oxidation resistance of copper foil.

Through these innovative applications, KH-560 demonstrates its broad adaptability and efficient performance across multiple fields, becoming an important additive in materials science research and industrial applications.

Contact information:

Linda Sun | 孙永玲

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