Effect of functionalized trititanate nanotubes on the properties of crosslinked cationic polymer nanocomposite

The synthesis and characterization of a crosslinked polymer nanocomposite containing titanium oxide nanotubes as filler are presented. First, the TiO 2 nanotubes were synthesized using a hydrothermal procedure and further functionalized using the organosilane reagent γ ‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane. Subsequently, the modified nanotubes were incorporated into a polymer matrix using in situ polymerization of a mixture of monomer, crosslinker and initiator. Diverse characterization techniques were used at different stages of the synthesis, including transmission ( TEM ) and scanning electron microscopies, X‐ray diffraction ( XRD ), solid‐state 29 Si NMR and 13 C NMR spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77 K. The as‐synthesized nanotubes correspond to the trititanate phase verified using XRD , and their presence within the nanocomposite was confirmed using TEM analysis. In addition, TiO 2 particles were detected on the surface of the nanocomposite. The nanocomposite exhibited a slight increase of Vickers microhardness while the water absorption decreased with oxide content attributed to trititanate nanotubes acting as multifunctional crosslinker.© 2015 Society of Chemical Industry