The interaction of γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxy silane and model analogues with the Al(1 1 1) surface

The adsorption characteristics of three organosilane compounds on a model Al(1 1 1) surface has been investigated using reflection–absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). The three compounds considered, epoxyhexane (EH), glycidylisopropylether (GIE) and γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (γ-GPS) have demonstrated adsorption behaviour dependent upon both the extent of coverage and temperature. Both EH and GIE have shown that, under certain conditions, they can interact with the Al(1 1 1) surface via their glycidyl groups. With γ-GPS, the glycidyl group adopts a slightly altered geometry from that in EH and GIE, thus enabling some of the methoxy groups to be directed towards the Al(1 1 1) surface.