Synthesis of TiO2–SiO2/waterborne polyurethane hybrid with amino-siloxane terminated via a sol–gel process

A novel method was employed to synthesize TiO2–SiO2/waterborne polyurethane (WPU) hybrid terminated by 3-aminopropyltriethoxylsilane (APTES) via a sol–gel process. The hybrids were synthesized by in situ hydrolysis and condensation of tetrabutyl titanate (TBOT) and APTES. TiO2–SiO2 particles were well dispersed in polymer matrix with a diameter of about 500 nm and there was no phase separation between particles and WPU. XPS analysis demonstrated that TiOSi bonds existed in TiO2–SiO2/WPU hybrid, and the percentages of SiOTi bond in Si and Ti were about 35% and 20%, respectively. The chemical bonds between WPU and TiO2–SiO2 facilitated the homogenous dispersion and better compatibility during the sol–gel process. The successful preparation of TiO2–SiO2/WPU hybrid opens a new way to investigate other inorganic particles/WPU hybrids, such as Al2O3–SiO2/WPU for coating, fiber and adhesive applications.

► TiO2–SiO2/WPU hybrid was synthesized by in situ hydrolysis and condensation via sol–gel process.
► Inorganic particles were well dispersed in polymer matrix with a diameter of about 500 nm.
► TiOSi bonds existed in TiO2–SiO2/WPU hybrid.