A method of silanizing the surface of a low-k interlayer dielectric oxides (carbon doped oxides or organo-silicate glasses) to improve surface adhesion to adjacent thin film layers in damascene integration of microelectronic devices. A low-k interlayer dielectric oxide may be exposed to the vapor of a silane-coupling agent in order to modify its surface energy to improve adhesion with adjacent thin film layers. A low-k interlayer dielectric oxide can also be silanized by dipping the low-k interlayer dielectric oxide in a solution of silane-coupling agent. The silane-coupling agent will cause covalent bonds between the low-k interlayer dielectric oxide and the adjacent thin film thereby improving adhesion.