Silicone rubber reaction with surface

Chen et al. utUized a direct chemical reaction with a given solution (wet treatment) to modify the surface of the silicone rubber. The presence of a layer of PEO on a biomaterial surface is accompanied by reductions in protein adsorption, and cell and bacterial adhesion. In order to obtain a PEO layer on top of the silicone rabber surface, the surface was firstly modihed by incorporating an Si-H bond using (MeHSiO) , and followed by PEO grafting to the surface using a platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation reaction. These PEO-modified surfaces were demonstrated by fibrinogen adsorption both from buffer and plasma, as well as albumin adsorption from buffer. Reductions in protein adsorption of as much as 90% were noted on these surfaces. 

The surface of PDMS is hydrophobic which results in poor wettability with aqueous solvents and promotes non-specific protein adsorption. It is also relatively inert to chemical modification [25]. The liquid silicon rubber chosen for fabrication of the reaction plate contained pyrogenic silicic acid as a filler. Aside from its effect on elastomer properties the silicic acid can be expected to provide additional silanol... 

Silica used as a filler for rubbers is silicon dioxide, with particle sizes in the range of 10-40 nm. The silica has a chemically bound water content of 25% with an additional level of 4-6% of adsorbed water. The surface of silica is strongly polar in nature, centring around the hydroxyl groups bound to the surface of the silica particles. In a similar fashion, other chemical groups can be adsorbed onto the filler surface. This adsorption strongly influences silica s behaviour within rubber compounds. The groups found on the surface of silicas are principally siloxanes, silanol and reaction products of the latter with various hydrous oxides. It is possible to modify the surface of the silica to improve its compatibility with a variety of rubbers. 

Control of fiber friction is essential to the processing of fibers, and it is sometimes desirable to modify fiber surfaces for particular end-uses. Most fiber friction modifications are accomplished by coating the fibers with lubricants or finishes. In most cases, these are temporary treatments that are removed in final processing steps before sale of the finished good. In some cases, a more permanent treatment is desired, and chemical reactions are performed to attach different species to the fiber surface, e.g. siliconized slick finishes or rubber adhesion promoters. Polyester s lack of chemical bonding sites can be modified by surface treatments that generate free radicals, such as with corrosive chemicals (e.g. acrylic acid) or by ionic bombardment with plasma treatments. The broken molecular bonds produce more polar sites, thus providing increased surface wettability and reactivity. 

The cure reaction for many silicone sealants is initiated by acid added at low levels to the sealant formulation. Acids are chemically incompatible with concrete, marble, and limestone. When acid-containing silicone sealants are used in joints with these substrate materials, the acid reacts with the substrate bond surfaces, creating salts at the bond interface. These salts destroy the sealant/substrate adhesion and cause debonding and loss of the seal. In order to use a silicone sealant with these substrates, a silicone formulated without acid is required. Other known chemical incompatibilities are silicone and polychloroprene. Use of these two materials together in a sealant joint is to be avoided. Solvated sealant use in joints containing plastic or rubber materials should be undertaken only after chemical compatibility studies of the sealant with these materials is performed. Typical incompatibility will manifest itself over time by causing the sealant or substrate to soften, harden, crack, and/or craze. A standard test method for determining chemical compatibility is ASTM D-471. 

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