The Mechanical Property, Microstructure, and Pore Geometry of a Methyltrimethoxysilane Modified Silica Zeolite (MSZ) Film

A methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) modified silica zeolite (MSZ) film has been prepared using a high ratio of MTMS/tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). This study investigated the effect of MTMS addition on the low-k matrix structure, elastic modulus, and pore geometry. High MTMS loading reduced the k-value of MSZ film down to 2.0, but yielded a lower elastic modulus, 2.7 GPa. Based on grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) 2D pattern analysis, the pore geometry of the MSZ film was found to be small but elliptical (Rin-plane similar to 3.75 nm; Rout-of-plane similar to 3.04 nm). The elliptical pore shape was formed by a collapse of film structure at 150-160 degrees C as a result of similar to 32% thickness shrinkage due to the decomposition of tetra-n-propylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH), a structure directing catalyst, and due to a large degree of crosslinking reaction in the silica matrix. Combining GISAXS, Si-29-NMR, and FT-IR results, we propose that the lower elastic modulus was caused by the incorporation of a large amount of methyl groups from the MTMS precursor and the elliptic pores. (C) 2012 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.074203jes] All rights reserved.