Structural characterization of bis-[triethoxysilylpropyl]tetrasulfide and bis-[trimethoxysilylpropyl]amine silanes by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Bis-[triethoxysilylpropyl]tetrasulfide (or bis-sulfur silane) and bis-[trimethoxysilylpropyl] amine (or bis-amino silane) were deposited on 2024-T3 aluminum alloy (AA 2024-T3). The structures of the films were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The results showed that: (1) The silane structures were affected significantly by the hydrolysis time of the silane solutions. A minimum hydrolysis time is required to obtain a crosslinked silane film. (2) Hydrolysis progressed more readily and faster in the bis-amino silane system than in the bis-sulfur silane system, probably due to the catalytic action of the amine of the bis-amino silane. (3) Both silane systems experienced significant crosslinking upon curing at 100°C, during which denser interfacial layers were formed via crosslinking in the interfacial regions. The interfacial layer contributes to corrosion protection of metals by silanes. (4) A new phase was observed in the fully cured bis-amino silane film after aging in the atmosphere. This new phase is likely to be carbamates and bicarbonates formed via a reaction between the secondary amino groups, carbon dioxide, and moisture absorbed from the atmosphere.