Applications

Methoxytriethyleneoxypropyltrimethoxysilane can form covalent bonds with the polymer chains, creating a three-dimensional structure that is more resistant to degradation. Thus, it is frequently used as a crosslinking agent in polymers. Methoxytriethyleneoxypropyltrimethoxysilane provides the abilities of reducing friction between surfaces and resistance to adhesive. So, it can be used as a lubricant in many applications, allowing for smoother operation. In addition, it can reduce the surface tension of liquids and thus as a surfactant which allows liquids spread more easily. Moreover, methoxytriethyleneoxypropyltrimethoxysilane can act as a fuel additive to increase the combustion efficiency of fuels and improve fuel economy.

In recent years, researchers are continually seeking the ways to improve the interface stability of electrodes and electrolytes under high pressure, because it is the key to successfully obtaining high energy density lithium-ion batteries. Lately, methoxytriethyleneoxypropyltrimethoxysilane was confirmed as a novel multifunctional electrolyte additive that can effectively stabilize the interface of both Ni-rich layered LiNi_0.85Co_0.1Mn_0.05O₂ (NCM851005) cathode and graphite anode in a full-cell by Pham and coworker ^[1]. This because methoxytriethyleneoxypropyltrimethoxysilane forms a stable and thin surface protective film on the NCM851005, containing Si species, which effectively reduced crack formation, metal-dissolution, and structural degradation of the cathode. And it also forms a stable solid electrolyte interface layer on the graphite anode, stabilizing graphite structure and preventing thickening of the solid electrolyte interface. The study proved that methoxytriethyleneoxypropyltrimethoxysilane had a potential to help the realization of high energy density Li-ion batteries through enabling wider working voltage range for Ni-rich oxide cathodes.

Lately, Nakamura et al., have successfully fabricated smooth, transparent, and hydrophilic pegylated organosilanes derived hybrid films by using a simple sol-gel reaction of PEGn-Si and tetraethoxysilane (PEGn-Si refers to CH₃O-(C₂H₄O)n-C₃H₆-Si(OCH₃)₃, where n = 3, 6-9, 9-12. And when n is 3, the PEGn-Si is methoxytriethyleneoxypropyltrimethoxysilane) ^[2]. The organosilanes derived hybrid films showed excellent water sliding/removal properties. Although, the water sliding/removal properties of organosilanes hybrid film made by methoxytriethyleneoxypropyltrimethoxysilane are not as good as the films made by other two kinds of organosilanes, the methoxytriethyleneoxypropyltrimethoxysilane hybrid film still shows good performance. It is expected that this kind of water-removal surfaces will replace perfluorocarbon-based water-repellent surfaces, which will help reduce environmental damage.

Methoxytriethyleneoxypropyltrimethoxysilane could be used in the synthesis of more complex organosilicon compounds, such as polysiloxanes. The synthesized polysiloxanes can be widely used in biomedical applications, such as being used as a component of pharmaceutical formulation, participating in drug synthesis, and being used as medical defoaming agent and drug-sustained release material. Methoxytriethyleneoxypropyltrimethoxysilane can also used as PEGylation reagent to form a conjugate with a protein, peptide, drug or other bioactive material by its poly(ethylene glycol) chains to impart desirable properties like increased solubility, resistance to metabolic degradation and reduced immunogenicity to a biomolecule in many instances.