The adsorption of 3-acryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (APMS) onto silica and structures formed from the adsorption were studied using gravimetric analysis and NMR. APMS molecules were hydrolyzed at room temperature and then condensed at 110 degrees C with other APMS molecules or on a silica surface. After heat treatment at 110 degrees C, the alkyl groups of APMS from the bulk species or the immobilized species on the silica surface were investigated using C-13 cross-polarization, magic-angle spinning (CP-MAS) NMR. Si-29 MAS and CP-MAS NMR techniques showed that most of the APMS silanol groups were condensed to 27%; T-2 and 73% T-3 species during heat treatment at 110 degrees C. The condensed APMS was then pyrolized at 600 degrees C. Most of the APMS alkyl groups had been replaced with oxygen during pyrolysis resulting in 21% Q(3) and 79% Q(4) species. The differences in the masses of APMS following the heat treatment steps (at 110 degrees C and 600 degrees C) made it possible to confirm the nature of the chemical species present. From the gravimetric measurements, there were 26% T-2 and 74% T-3 species after 110 degrees C heat treatment and 18% Q(3) and 82% Q(4) species after pyrolysis. The results from NMR and gravimetric analysis were in good agreement. A Langmuir isotherm was applied to estimate the saturated layer coverage of APMS, which was determined using the mass profile of APMS adsorbed on a high-surface-area fumed silica; it showed the saturated layer coverage to be about 0.6 mmol/100 m(2).