Effect of nanostructured polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane on the physical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)

Abstract

An effective amphiphilic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) encapsulated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposite was successfully fabricated by solution blending method. Anionic octa(tetramethylammonium) (Octa‐TMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were used as cage side groups in POSS (Octa‐TMA‐POSS and PEG‐POSS) for the present study. Transmission electron microscopic analysis revealed the uniform dispersion of POSS in the PVA matrix. Crystallinity of PVA/POSS system was computed from differential scanning calorimetric studies. The effect of POSS on the mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and dielectric properties of PVA has been analyzed and discussed in detail with respect to the weight percentage of POSS. The incorporation of POSS in PVA matrix remarkably enhances the Young's modulus of the matrix. The viscoelastic properties such as storage modulus, loss modulus, damping behavior, and glass transition temperature of the membranes were evaluated. The relaxation corresponding to the crystal–crystal slippage characteristic of semicrystalline polymers were observed in storage modulus curves of PVA/POSS system, suggesting the crystalline nature of matrix even in the presence of POSS. Less polar, inert, and stiff inorganic center core of POSS contributes to the reduced energy dissipation and dielectric constant of PVA/POSS system. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45447.

Free volume defects and transport properties of mechanically stable polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane embedded poly(vinyl alcohol)‐poly(ethylene oxide) blend membranes

“…Figure illustrates the SEM micrographs of the tensile fractured surfaces of POSS incorporated PVA‐PEO blend membranes. The SEM image of the tensile fractured surface of pristine PVA shows branched crack propagation and nonlinear deformation of the surface . Here, PEG‐POSS embedded PVA‐PEO exhibits a fibrillar‐like structure, suggesting high strength and modulus.…”

“…Both PEG‐POSS and Octa‐TMA‐POSS act as excellent mechanical reinforcing agents for the PVA‐PEO membrane and CMC enhances the miscibility of PVA‐PEO. In previous work, the mechanical properties of PEG‐POSS and Octa‐TMA‐POSS incorporated PVA were presented and it was observed that the mechanical stability of the PVA membrane increased in the presence of POSS molecules; this was further increased on blending with PEO . The blend membrane exhibits reduced elongation at break and improved stiffness due to good miscibility of the PVA and PEO polymers in the presence of CMC implying that the latter acts as a stabilizer of the PVA‐PEO blend.…”

Comprehensive experimental investigations and theoretical predictions on the physical properties of natural rubber composites

“…As the k values decreases the adhesion between filler and polymer matrix increases. 49 Kunori and Geil 50 equation is given by,…”

Size-Tailored Physicochemical Properties of Monodisperse Polystyrene Nanoparticles and the Nanocomposites Made Thereof

“…Size dependent thermomechanical properties of the nanoparticulate composites. PVA is an eco-friendly, inexpensive, non-toxic, and biocompatible polymer and has extensively attracted research attention for development of coating, nanofiber, and bulk materials 18 . Particularly, the PVA nanocomposites have been appealing for a wide range of applications including biomedicine 19 , gas separation 20 , resistive switching 21 , opto-electronics 22 among others.…”

“…Particularly, the PVA nanocomposites have been appealing for a wide range of applications including biomedicine 19 , gas separation 20 , resistive switching 21 , opto-electronics 22 among others. Despite the remarkable potential of the PVA nanocomposites, it is mechanically weak and needs to be reinforced 18 . In this regard, controlled construction of the material by engineering of the www.nature.com/scientificreports www.nature.com/scientificreports/ nanofillers' characteristics e.g.…”