Influence of symmetry/asymmetry of the nanoparticles structure on the thermal stability of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane/polystyrene nanocomposites

The thermal degradation of two polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane/polystyrene (POSS/PS) nanocomposites of formula R₈(SiO_1.5)₈ POSS/PS and R′₁R₇(SiO_1.5)₈ POSS/PS (where R′ = Phenyl and R = Cyclopentyl), at 5% of POSS concentration, was studied in both inert (flowing nitrogen) and oxidative (static air) atmospheres. Compounds were prepared by the polymerization of styrene in the presence of POSS. Degradations were carried out into a thermobalance, in the scanning mode, at various heating rates, and the obtained thermogravimetric (TG) curves were discussed and interpreted. The initial decomposition temperature (T_i), the temperature at 5% mass loss (T_5%), the glass transition temperature (T_g), and the activation energy (E_a) of degradation of nanocomposites were determined and compared with each other and with those of unfilled PS. The T_i, T_5%, and degradation E_a values of nanocomposites were higher than those of neat PS, thus indicating a better heat resistance and lower degradation rate, and then a better overall thermal stability. The use of POSS with a symmetric structure, in the synthesis of PS based nanocomposite, showed a decrease of T_g value not only in respect to asymmetric POSS/PS nanocomposite but also in respect to neat polymer, thus suggesting an influence of filler structure in the thermal properties of the materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 33:1903–1910, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers