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Entirely aqueous synthesis of polyimide–silsesquioxane nanocomposites
Author(s) -
Arkhireeva Anna,
Groth Andrew M,
Hay John N
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.2145
Subject(s) - silsesquioxane , polyimide , materials science , nanocomposite , nanoparticle , polymer , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , surface modification , aqueous solution , composite material , organic chemistry , nanotechnology , chemistry , layer (electronics) , engineering
A novel combination of a modified Stöber sol–gel technique to prepare silsesquioxane nanoparticles with an aqueous synthesis of polyimide resin has been used to prepare polyimide–silsesquioxane nanocomposites. The products have been analysed to ascertain the degree and mode of association between the polyimide matrix and silsesquioxane nanoreinforcement. Thermal analysis techniques have been used to quantify the attraction between the resin and four different surface‐functionalised silsesquioxanes. Scanning electron microscopy has been used to assess qualitatively the nature of the interaction between the two components. In general, aminopropyl–functionalised silsesquioxanes have the lowest level of interaction with the polyimides used in this study, while methyl‐ and phenyl‐functionalised nanoparticles bind more strongly with the resin. Silica nanoparticles have a relatively strong association with the polyimide and appear to be largely attached to the surface of the polymer. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry