Synthesis and characterization of asbestos–silane hybrid materials

In this study, interaction of the silane coupling agent 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate (A-174) and asbestos was investigated. A-174 grafted onto the surface of the asbestos was polymerized by radical initiator. FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), differential thermal analyzer (DTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize modified particles. The effects of temperature on modified particles and were evaluated by differential thermal analysis. After modification with A-174, the effects of grafting on asbestos were discussed in terms of structural change and thermal stability. These results lead us to conclude that the silane coupling agent in asbestos serve as polymeric precursor to form polymer onto asbestos matrix resulting the hybrid materials in which the harmful effect of asbestos was prevented by covering the asbestos particles with polymer.