Wettability and hydrolytic stability of 3-aminopropylsilane coupling agent and phenol-urea-formaldehyde binder on silicate surfaces and fibers

The stability of phenol-urea-formaldehyde (PUF) binder and 3-aminopropylsilane (APS) on composite silicate materials (fibers wafers) was studied with surface sensitive techniques (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) streaming potential) through a wide range humidity temperature ab initio modelling complemented the results. Behavior compared for wettability properties, determined by vapor adsorption contact angle analysis. APS PUF, deposited surfaces, decrease energy but water remains high, facilitating hydrolytic decomposition material. Deposited is unstable at T>50°C 75% RH, while PUF less to high temperature. Molecular dynamics confirmed sensitivity humidity. Water decrease, material increases when hydrophobization agent applied APS/PUF treated surfaces. direct correlation between PUF/APS/fiber composites can contribute in designing new controlled hydrophobic properties.