Evaluation of physicochemical properties of a new group of SiO₂/silane/POSS hybrid materials

Abstract

Preparation of a new group of hybrid fillers, of SiO2/silane/oligomeric silsesquioxane type, characterised by specific desirable physicochemical properties, was studied. Synthetic SiO2 was precipitated by the emulsion method. At first, as a result of improved adhesion between SiO2 and selected POSS compound, SiO2 surface was functionalised with alkoxysilanes containing characteristics functional groups. Functionalised SiO2 was used in the process of hybrid filler preparation according to hydrolytic condensation using methacryl POSS® mixture. To evaluate potential application of such fillers, SiO2 systems, bifunctionalised using innovative method, were thoroughly characterised to determine their physicochemical properties as well as the effectiveness of functionalisation with silanes and POSS compound. Proposed method of SiO2 surface modification using selected alkoxysilanes and oligosilsesquioxanes is innovative and gives very promising results. Bifunctionalisation of inorganic fillers with those compounds will substantially extended the range of their applications and probably will lead to improvement of mechanical properties of final polymer composites and reduction in the cost of their production which is the main feature of this research. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Hybrid SiO2@POSS nanofiller: a promising reinforcing system for rubber nanocomposites

“…[32][33][34] However, the mechanism proposed for the functionalization with POSS appears rather unclear and convincing evidence about the anchoring of the nanocages onto the oxide surface has not been provided. Moreover, despite all the above cited endeavours, there are hardly any investigations that report the synthesis and application of SiO 2 -POSS hybrids as functional nanofillers for rubber composites.…”

Effects of functional groups on the solubilities of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) in supercritical carbon dioxide

“…Other applications include surface modification and coating [49,50] and formation of polymeric films [51]. Methacryl POSS/PMMA exhibited the most effective behaviour in both Tg and relaxation enthalpy (ΔHRelax) because of the physical aging [47].…”