The interaction of silanes with amorphous silicon oxide surfaces

γ-Mercaptopropyltrimethoxy silane (SPS) has been adsorbed onto model surfaces from aqueous solution. Silica glass, acid-treated E-glass and E-glass have been employed to establish if the Si 2p core has electrons of significantly different binding energy in the siloxane structures associated with a hydrolysed trialkoxy monoalkyl silane and a silicate surface which enables differentiation to be achieved. It is shown that it is practical for silica surfaces including E-glass denuded of the network modifiers but not for E-glass surfaces.