A Novel Glass Fiber-Supported Platinum Catalyst for Self-healing Polymer Composites: Structure and Reactivity

A platinum-based catalyst supported on glass fiber grafted with 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-1,3,5,7-tetravinyl cyclotetrasiloxane (D4Vi) was prepared and evaluated for the hydrosilylation reaction of styrene and methyldiethoxysilane. The silanization of the glass fiber was carried out with methyldichlorosilane. D4Vi was then anchored on the modified fiber with Si–H bonds through a hydrosilylation reaction mediated by a Pt(0)-D4Vi complex solution catalyst. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric data showed that D4Vi was covalently bonded onto the fiber surface. The very high density of D4Vi grafting confers a strong hydrophobic character to the modified fiber surface. Fairly good catalytic activity for hydrosilylation between styrene and methyldiethoxysilane was observed on this catalyst.