Morphology and properties of UV-curing epoxy acrylate coatings modified with methacryl-POSS

In this work, the morphology and properties of UV-curing epoxy acrylate (EA) coatings modified with methacryl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (M-POSS) were studied. The M-POSS nanocages were introduced into EA UV-curing system via copolymerization at loadings between 0% and 10 wt%. The XRD and FTIR analysis indicated that M-POSS chemically incorporated into the hybrid materials and formed a cross-linked network between M-POSS and EA. The morphological analysis showed that the discrete spherical POSS-rich particles were dispersed in the EA matrix uniformly, and both of the number and mean diameter of POSS-rich particles increased with the increasing M-POSS loadings. The influence of M-POSS on the kinetics of the photopolymerization was determined by real time FTIR spectroscopy and the result showed that the addition of POSS enhanced both of the UV-curing rates and final double bond conversion. The DMA analysis showed that increasing the amount of M-POSS nanocages caused an increase on the nanocomposite's T_g. TGA curves showed that at the later period of degradation process, the thermal stability of nanocomposites was enhanced by M-POSS. With respect to the mechanical properties, the most remarkable trend was an improvement on the impact resistance of nanocomposites with the increasing POSS contents. Because both of the craze and plasticity deformation caused by POSS nanocages would absorb impact energy, hinder the growth of craze.     

Studies on nonisothermal crystallization of HDPE/POSS nanocomposites

The nonisothermal crystallization of HDPE/POSS nanocomposites (POSS content varying from 1 to 10 wt%) was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. The Ozawa approach failed to describe the crystallization behaviour of nanocomposites, whereas the modified Avrami analysis could explain the behaviour of HDPE/POSS (90:10) nanocomposite only. The value of Avrami exponent n for HDPE/POSS (90:10) nanocomposite ranged from 2.5 to 2.9 and decreased with increasing cooling rate. It is postulated that the values of n close to 3 are caused by spherulitic crystal growth with heterogeneous nucleation while simultaneous occurrence of spherulitic and lamellar crystal growth with heterogeneous nucleation account for lower values of n at higher cooling rates. A novel kinetic model by Liu et al. was able to satisfactorily describe the crystallization behaviour of HDPE/POSS nanocomposites. Presence of POSS did not cause significant change in the activation energy for the transport of polymer segments to the growing crystal surface. POSS molecules exhibit nucleation activity only at 10 wt% loading in HDPE and are not effective nuclei at lower loadings.     

The synthesis and characterization of polystyrene/magnetic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanocomposites

Fc-CHCH-C₆H₆-(C₅H₉)₇Si₈O₁₂ (POSS1, Fc: ferrocene) which contain both metal and CC double bond was firstly synthesized by Wittig reaction. The chemical structure of POSS1 was characterized by FTIR, ¹H, ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis, and the magnetic property of POSS1 have also been studied. Polystyrene composites containing inorganic-organic hybrid polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS1) were prepared by bulk free radical polymerization. XRD and TEM studies indicate that POSS1 is completely dispersed at molecular level in PS matrix when 1 wt% POSS1 is introduced, while some POSS1-rich nanoparticals are present when content of POSS1 is beyond 3 wt%. GPC results show that molecular weight of the PS/POSS1 nanocomposites are increased with addition of POSS1. TGA and TMA data show the thermal stabilities of PS/POSS1 nanocomposites have been improved compared to neat PS. The PS/POSS1 nanocomposites also display higher glass transition temperatures (T_g) in comparison with neat PS. Viscoelastic properties of PS/POSS1 nanocomposites were investigated by DMTA. The results show the storage modulus (E′) values (temperature>T_g) and the loss factor peak values of the PS/POSS1 nanocomposites are higher than that of neat PS. Mechanical properties of the PS/POSS1 nanocomposites are improved compared to the neat PS.     

Epoxy nanocomposites with octa(propylglycidyl ether) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

The POSS-containing nanocomposites of epoxy resin were prepared via the co-curing reaction between octa(propylglycidyl ether) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OpePOSS) and the precursors of epoxy resin. The curing reactions were started from the initially homogeneous ternary solution of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA), 4,4′-Diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) and OpePOSS. The nanocomposites containing up to 40 wt% of POSS were obtained. The homogeneous dispersion of POSS cages in the epoxy matrices was evidenced by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed that at the lower POSS concentrations (<30 wt%) the glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of the nanocomposites almost remained invariant whereas the nanocomposites containing POSS more than 40 wt% displayed the lower T_gs than the control epoxy. The DMA results show that the moduli of the nanocomposites in glass and rubbery states are significantly higher than those of the control epoxy, indicating the nanoreinforcement effect of POSS cages. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicates that the thermal stability of the polymer matrix was not sacrificed by introducing a small amount of POSS, whereas the properties of oxidation resistance of the materials were significantly enhanced. The improved thermal stability could be ascribed to the nanoscaled dispersion of POSS cages and the formation of tether structure of POSS cages with epoxy matrix.     

Catalytic and reinforcing effects of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-imidazolium modified clay in an anhydride-cured epoxy

In this article, we report novel epoxy-based hybrids prepared via incorporating 1,2-dimethyl-3-(benzyl-heptaisobutyl-POSS) imidazolium chloride (POSS-IMC) and POSS-IMC-modified clay (POSS-MMT) into the resin based on 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3,4-epoxycyclohexane carboxylate (ECHM) and hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA). We demonstrate that both POSS-IMC and POSS-MMT can reduce the cure temperature of the epoxy/anhydride system, and the catalyzing effect involves chemical reactions between POSS-IMC and ECHM/HHPA, which may lead to the attachment of POSS cages at chain ends. The incorporation of the POSS-IMC, free and ionically bonded in clay, gives rise to dissimilar morphologies that affect the thermo-mechanical properties of the hybrids. The ECHM/HHPA/POSS-IMC resin exhibits a slight improvement in glassy modulus as compared with the neat ECHM/HHPA resin, which is attributed to the formation of sub-micron and nano-sized POSS domains that act as physical cross-link points hindering polymer chain motions. The much enhanced reinforcing effect of POSS-MMT is ascribed to the effective stress transfer between the matrix and clay layers that may originate from the strong interactions between the pendent POSS in the network and POSS attached to the clay surfaces. Reduction in coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) was also found for the hybrids.     

Polymer/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanocomposites: An overview of fire retardance

A review is presented of the recent developments concerning the use of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) for designing polymer nanocomposites endowed with enhanced fire retardancy. Emphasis is placed on the scientific and technological advances in the use of POSS as fire retardants, as well as on the achievements and challenges associated to the exploitation of POSS either alone or in combination with conventional fire retardants to provide the required fire retardancy to polymer materials. Polymer/POSS nanocomposites show a great potential to provide materials characterized by improved fire retardancy together with superior physical properties and environmental neutrality. Achievements obtained with POSS in fire retardancy are presented for the different types of polymer materials and critically discussed, especially in terms of the modes of fire retardant action, in the attempt to reveal attractive strategies for successful development of the next generation of polymer/POSS materials and applications.     

Synthesis and characterization of a range of POSS imides

The microwave condensation of mono-amino functionalised polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) with a range of mono- and bis-anhydrides yielded the corresponding POSS imide compounds, which were characterized by UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrophotometry. The perylene POSS imide derivative was further characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The naphthyl POSS bis/monoimide exhibited extremely weak fluorescence, whilst the perylene POSS bis-imide displayed particularly strong fluorescence, with a quantum yield approaching unity.     

Morphology and thermal properties of inorganic-organic hybrids involving epoxy resin and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes

The organic-inorganic hybrids involving epoxy resin and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) were prepared via in situ polymerization of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) in the presence of the two structurally similar POSS monomers. The organic groups on silsesquioxane cage are aminophenyl and nitrophenyl groups, respectively. The curing reactions were started from the initially homogeneous mixture of DGEBA, DDM and the POSS cages. The inorganic-organic hybrids containing up to 20 wt% of POSS were obtained. The morphologies of the resulting hybrids were quite dependent on the types of R groups in the POSS monomers. The phase separation induced by polymerization occurred in the hybrids containing octanitrophenyl POSS (OnpPOSS) and the spherical particles of POSS-rich phase (<0.5 μm in diameter) were uniformly dispersed the continuous epoxy matrix as shown by scanning electronic microscopy. In marked contrast to the OnpPOSS-containing hybrids, the octaaminophenyl POSS (OapPOSS)-containing nanocomposites exhibited a homogeneous morphology. Differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis showed that the glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the POSS-containing hybrids were lower than that of the control epoxy. The moduli of glass states for the hybrids are significantly higher than that of the control epoxy. For the OapPOSS epoxy nanocomposites the storage moduli of the rubbery plateau were higher than that of the control epoxy when the contents of POSS are less than 20 wt%, indicating the nanoreinforcement effect of POSS cages. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that the thermal stability of the polymer matrix was not much sacrificed by introducing a small amount of POSS, whereas the properties of oxidation resistance of the materials were significantly enhanced. The OapPOSS epoxy nanocomposites displayed more pronounced improvement than the OnpPOSS hybrids, which could be ascribed to the nanoscaled dispersion of POSS cages and the formation of tether structure of POSS cages with epoxy matrix.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of mixed matrix nanocomposites containing polyimide and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)

Mixed matrix blends containing polyimide (PI) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) are studied with atomistic molecular dynamics simulation. To examine the effect of functional group, two types of POSS are considered, either octahydrido silsesquioxane (OHS) or octaaminophenyl silsesquioxane (OAPS). The glass transition temperature of the model PI-OAPS blends increases with the incorporation of OAPS, an observation consistent with recent experiments on these systems. A decrease in glass transition temperature is shown for the model PI-OHS blends. Radial distribution functions for both blends are presented to show how packing between the inorganic (POSS) and organic (PI) species in the mixed matrix varies as a function of POSS loading and POSS functionalization. In addition, we report the mobility of the PI chains and POSS molecules in the material by calculating the mean square displacement. These results provide molecular insight about thermal property enhancements afforded by POSS-based additives.     

Enhancing aerogel mechanical properties with incorporation of POSS

Silica aerogels consisting of nanoparticles and numerous nano-pores have many attractive attributes. However, the weak mechanical properties severely limited the practical application of the silica aerogel. In this work, a facile approach was employed to strengthen the silica aerogel while the multi-alkoxy polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) joined with methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) as the co-precursor. Three kinds of stiff core POSS with different amount of alkoxy groups were chosen to prepare aerogels. The result attributes showed all aerogels owned mesoporous structure (10–20 nm), high specific surface area (760–877 m² g⁻¹) and good thermal stability. Moreover, with the introduction of POSS, the mechanical properties had been apparently enhanced. The suitable addition of functional groups and the adjustment of cross-linking density made the aerogel own more room to deform and the skeleton still strong enough to endure large deformation. In addition, new peaks appeared in the XRD patterns at the same time. The preparation strategy of composite aerogels may guide a facile way to regulate the aerogel attributes. Furthermore, the aerogel potential application in oil-water separation has also been investigated.     

Syntheses, thermal properties, and phase morphologies of novel benzoxazines functionalized with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanocomposites

We have successfully synthesized a novel benzoxazine ring-containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (BZ-POSS) monomer by two routes: (1) hydrosilylation of a vinyl-terminated benzoxazine using the hydro-silane functional group of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (H-POSS) and (2) reaction of a primary amine-containng POSS (Amine-POSS) with phenol and formaldehyde. The benzoxazine-containing POSS (BZ-POSS) monomer can be copolymerized with other benzoxazine monomers through ring-opening polymerization under conditions similar to that used for polymerizing pure benzoxazines. Thermal properties of these POSS-containing organic/inorganic polybenzoxazine nanocomposites have been improved over the pure polybenzoxazine analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The BZ-POSS monomer is poorly miscible with the benzoxazine monomer and tends to aggregate and forms its own domains, both before and after polymerization. At a higher BZ-POSS content, gross aggregation occurs and results in a lower than expected improvement in the thermal properties.     

Molecular miscibility and chain dynamics in POSS/polystyrene blends: Control of POSS preferential dispersion states

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)/polystyrene nanocomposites with two different POSS molecules, octaisobutyl POSS (Oib-POSS) and trisilanolphenyl POSS (Tsp-POSS), were prepared via solution blending in toluene. Solution dynamics analysis indicates random coil conformation of neat PS and POSS/PS blends. Morphology analysis (AFM/TEM) revealed differences in the preferential dispersion states of Tsp- and Oib-POSS molecules. Tsp-POSS, with its greater predicted solubility in PS, exhibited nanoscale dispersion throughout the bulk leading to transparent films. In contrast, Oib-POSS, with its reduced predicted solubility in PS, exhibited preferential surface segregation, aggregation of POSS particles and hazy films. Estimated fractional surface coverage for the materials, based on surface energy measurements, indicated 15% coverage by Tsp-POSS and 78% for Oib-POSS. Solid-state NMR relaxation studies suggest aggregation of Oib-POSS molecules. Additional NMR studies, including silicon CP/MAS, 2D HETCOR, and WISE, indicate close spatial proximity and interaction of Tsp-POSS molecules with PS chains, contrasting with poor interaction and immiscibility of Oib-POSS with PS.     

Synthesis and properties of waterborne epoxy acrylate nanocomposite coating modified by MAP-POSS

In this paper, waterborne epoxy acrylate (EA) coating modified with methylacryloylpropyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (MAP-POSS) was prepared. The cure kinetics of the coating was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The curing process, thermal and mechanical properties of the coating were investigated by FTIR, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). These results show that the non-isothermal curing process can be described by Kissinger method and a two-parameter autocatalytic Šesták–Berggren (S–B) model. The kinetic equations of curing reaction were obtained. The UV-curing property of MAP-POSS/EA nanocomposite coating is better than that of pure epoxy acrylate system. The glass transition temperature (T_g) increases with increasing MAP-POSS content. When MAP-POSS content is 12 wt%, the T_g reaches the maximum 54.3 °C which is 9.5 °C higher than that of pure epoxy acrylate.     

Synthesis,characterization and self-assembly of hybrid pH-sensitive block copolymer containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)

In this study, a series of novel hybrid pH-sensitive block copolymers containing POSS (HBCPs), poly(methacrylisobutyl-POSS)-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PMAiBuPOSS-b-P4VP) and poly(methacrylisobutyl-POSS)-b-polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PMAiBuPOSS-b-PS-b-P4VP), were synthesized via reversible addition fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Their structures and molecular weight were characterized via ¹H NMR, GPC and TEM. Their self-assembly behaviors, including pH-sensitive behaviors and self-assembly morphologies in aqueous solution, were investigated via DLS and TEM. It was found that the size of aggregates in aqueous solution would initially decrease and later increase as the pH value increased. It is supposed that this behavior was caused by the pH sensitivity of the P4VP block of the HBCPs. Our hybrid triblock copolymers were found to assemble nanowires and nanospheres. Unique dot-like phase separation was also observed in the aggregates of the HBCPs at pH 1. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of block length and structure on the self-assembly morphologies of the HBCPs.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of quaternary ammonium-functionalized POSS (Q-POSS) and polysiloxane coatings containing Q-POSS

An array of quaternary ammonium-functionalized POSS (Q-POSS) compounds were synthesized and their antimicrobial properties toward the Gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli, and the Gram-positive bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, determined in aqueous solution. Using Q-POSS compositions that exhibited broad spectrum antimicrobial activity in solution, the utility of the Q-POSS compounds as an antimicrobial additive for polysiloxane coatings was determined. The results of the investigation showed that Q-POSSs possessing a relatively low extent of quaternization and longer alkyl chain lengths provided the highest antimicrobial activity in solution. For polysiloxane coatings containing Q-POSS molecules as an antimicrobial additive, coating surface energy, surface morphology, and antimicrobial properties were found to be strongly dependent on Q-POSS composition. Coatings based on Q-POSSs possessing the lowest extent of quaternization displayed antimicrobial activity while analogous coatings produced using Q-POSSs possessing the highest extent of quaternization showed no antimicrobial activity. The lack of antimicrobial activity exhibited by coatings possessing Q-POSSs with a relatively high extent of quaternization was attributed to agglomeration of Q-POSS molecules through the formation of intermolecular interactions involving the quaternary ammonium moieties. Agglomeration would be expected to reduce diffusivity and inhibit interaction of the Q-POSS molecules with microbial cells.     

Self-assembly behavior of hepta(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-capped poly(?-caprolactone) in epoxy resin: Nanostructures and surface properties

The organic-inorganic amphiphile, hepta(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-capped poly(?-caprolactone) (POSS-capped PCL) was synthesized via the ring-opening reaction of ?-caprolactone, which was initiated by 3-hydroxypropylhepta(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) with stannous (II) octanoate [Sn(Oct)₂] as the catalyst. The organic-inorganic nanocomposites were prepared via the in situ polymerization of epoxy monomers in the presence of the POSS-capped PCL. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) shows that the organic-inorganic hybrids possess the nanostructures. In view of the miscibility of the sub-components of the organic-inorganic amphiphile [i.e., PCL chains and POSS cages] with epoxy after and before curing reaction, the formation of the nanostructures in the thermosets followed the mechanism of self-assembly. The surface properties of the organic-inorganic nanocomposites were investigated by means of static contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy (XPS). It is demonstrated that the improvement in surface hydrophobicity was ascribed to the enrichment of the POSS cages on the surface of the materials.     

Curing dynamics and network formation of cyanate ester resin/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocomposites

Curing dynamics and network formation of cyanate ester resin (PT-30)/TriSilanolPhenyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanocomposites were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry MTDSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies. The incorporation of the POSS showed a strong catalytic effect (decrease in curing temperature and activation energy) on the curing reaction of PT-30. The activation energy of the PT-30 decreased with increasing POSS content. The most effective catalytic effect was observed at 5 wt% of the POSS. Both FTIR and Raman spectra monitored the formation of triazine (i.e. cyanurate) ring in the PT-30 and its nanocomposites with the POSS. Raman spectra revealed that the PT-30 resin preferentially reacted with -OH group in the POSS firstly to form a -O-(CNH)-O- bond, rather than react with itself to form the triazine rings, during the network formation of the PT-30/POSS nanocomposites. The strong catalytic effect of the POSS on the curing process of the PT-30 appears to be due to the formation of this -O-(CNH)-O- bond.     

Epoxy/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) hybrid networks cured with an anhydride: Cure kinetics and thermal properties

A new class of organic-inorganic hybrid networks was prepared via copolymerization of octakis(dimethylsiloxybutyl epoxide)octasilsesquioxane (OB), N,N,N′,N′-tetraglycidyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane (TGDDM) and hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA). Kinetic studies show that even with 1H-imidazole as the catalyst, the rate for the curing of OB/HHPA is still significantly higher than that for TGDDM/HHPA in the temperature range studied. Two-stage reactions were thus carried out to allow OB to react with HHPA first (Stage I). The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the networks was found to be strongly dependent on Stage I reaction since too short a reaction time caused poor bonding of OB to the networks while too long a reaction time led to the formation of OB oligomers that de-homogenized the networks. With 5 mol.% OB, the hybrid prepared via the optimized two-stage reaction displayed a large jump of ∼20 °C in T_g, which was accompanied by slight improvements in thermal degradation temperature and storage modulus, as compared to TGDDM/HHPA.     

Preparation and properties of LDHs/epoxy nanocomposites

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs)/epoxy nanocomposites were prepared by mixing the amino laurate intercalated LDHs, EPON 828 resin, and Jeffamine D400 as a curing agent. The organo-modified LDHs with hydrophobic property easily disperse in epoxy resin, and the amino laurate intercalated LDHs with large gallery space allow the epoxy molecules and the curing agents to easily diffuse into the LDHs galleries at elevated temperature. After the thermal curing process, the exfoliated LDHs/epoxy nanocomposites were formed. X-ray diffraction was used to detect the formation process of the exfoliated LDHs/epoxy nanocomposites. TEM was used to observe the dispersed behavior of the LDHs nanolayers, and the LDHs nanolayers were exfoliated and well dispersed in these nanocomposites. Owing to the reaction between the amine groups of the intercalated amino laurate and epoxy groups, the adhesion between the LDHs nanolayers and epoxy molecules makes these LDHs/epoxy nanocomposites more compatible. Consequently, the tensile properties from tensile test and the mechanical properties from DMA were enhanced, and the T_g of these nanocomposites from DMA and TMA were increased. Coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs, below and above T_g) of these nanocomposites from TMA decreased with the LDHs content. The thermal stability of these nanocomposites was enhanced by the well dispersed LDHs nanolayers.