Organic Polymers Modified with Inorganic Polyhedra
Abstract
Nanostructured composites of thermoplastics and inorganic clusters have been developed by incorporating polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) macromers into organic polymers. These hybrid inorganic/organic thermoplastics based on styrenes, acrylics, imides, norbornenes or siloxanes, are reinforced by covalently linking monodisperse inorganic POSS clusters to the polymer backbone. A typical POSS-macromer, R7P(SisO12), is a well-defined octomeric polyhedron containing a single "P" functionality for polymerization and seven "R11 groups to solubilize and compatibilize the inorganic filler with the organic matrix. A nanoreinforcement effect from the POSS groups is strongly influenced by the seven "R" groups (cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, isobutyl or phenyl). Covalently attached POSS groups result in significant change to the observed characteristic relaxation time of the polymer; rheological measurements on molten polymer indicate that interactions between the POSS groups generate a reversible network material with rubbery properties. TEM images show that the inorganic POSS moieties associate to form a nanoscale network within the polymer matrix.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 08, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA410052
Entities
People
- Brent D. Viers
- Timothy S. Haddad
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory