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Preparation and properties investigation of PMMA/silica composites derived from silicic acid
Author(s) -
Fu H. P.,
Hong R. Y.,
Zhang Y. J.,
Li H. Z.,
Xu B.,
Zheng Y.,
Wei D. G.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.1226
Subject(s) - silicic acid , materials science , composite material , sodium silicate , thermal stability , silicic , polymerization , methyl methacrylate , tetrahydrofuran , silanol , polymer , chemical engineering , catalysis , organic chemistry , chemistry , volcano , engineering , geology , solvent , seismology
Abstract Hybrid materials based on silicic acid and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were prepared by in situ bulk polymerization of a silicic acid sol and MMA mixture. Silicic acid sol was obtained by tetrahydrofuran (THF) extraction of silicic acid from water. Silicic acid was prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of sodium silicate in the presence of 3.6 M HCl. As a comparative study, PMMA composites filled by silica particles, which were derived from calcining the silicic acid gel, were prepared by a comparable in situ polymerization. Each set of PMMA/silica composites was subjected to thermal and mechanical studies. Residual THF in PMMA/silicic acid composites impacted the properties of the polymer composites. With increase in silica content, the PMMA composites filled with silica particles showed improved thermal and mechanical properties, whereas a decrease in thermal stability and mechanical strength was found for PMMA composites filled with silicic acid dissolved in THF. With a better compatibility with polymer matrix, silicic acid sol shows better reinforcement than silica particles in PMMA films prepared via blending of the corresponding THF solutions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.