PMMA-based composite materials with reactive ceramic fillers. Part 1.—Chemical modification and characterisation of ceramic particles

Polymerisable organic silane molecules [3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate, γ-MPS] have been grafted onto the surface of ceramic oxide powders (Al 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 , TiO 2 ), via hydroxy groups of the latter oxides, in order to obtain organic–inorganic hybrid ‘macromonomers’. Densities of surface hydroxy groups have been determined using thermogravimetry (TG) and chemical titration. Quantification of γ-MPS grafting has been determined by FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and TG. Typical grafting yields up to 6 µmol m -2 were obtained. The influence of the relative amount of silane used has been studied. Silane multilayers and/or aggregates are formed as observed in 29 Si CP MAS NMR spectroscopy.