MODIFICATION OF POLYURETHANE VISCOELASTIC FOAMS BY FUNCTIONALIZED POLYHEDRAL OLIGOMERIC SILSESQUIOXANES (POSS)

The aim of this paper is to present synthesis and characterization routes of hybrid polyurethane viscoelastic foams reinforced by -inorganic nanoaddities. Recently, much attention has been given to polymer nanocomposites made with POSS (Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes) - a family of siloxane material consisting of inorganic silicon-oxygen core and organic functional groups. Functionalization of POSS enables formation of chemical linkages with polymer matrix and increases compatibility between the organic and inorganic components. Our research focused on the modification of polyurethane materials by functionalized POSS. Octa(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyldimethylsiloxy) POSS containing eight hydroxyl groups and 1,2-propanediolisobutyl POSS with 2 hydroxyl groups were chosen as additional co-reagents which were mixed by ultrasound homogenizer in polyol phase. POSS was added in amounts 5, 10 and 15% by weight of polyol, and reacted with diisocyanate (TDI) to obtain PU/POSS composite. The effects of incorporation of POSS on the mechanical properties of PU-based hybrid composites were presented. Moreover, the morphology of PU/POSS hybrids was investigated by means of wide-angle X ray diffraction (WAXD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques.