Abstract
Novel transparent thin films of silica-based hybrids were prepared via hydrolysis and polycondensation of alkylsiloxane oligomers containing three trimethoxysilyl groups [RSi(OSi(OMe)3)3, R = alkyl, CnTTMSS], followed by spin-coating on glass substrates. The XRD patterns of the products showed a sharp diffraction peak with d values of ca. 2.5-3.5 nm with higher order diffractions, suggesting that the products have layered structures. The formation involves the self-assembly of cyclic tetramer formed by the intramolecular condensation as well as the cleavage of the siloxane bonds during the reaction in the precursor solutions.
