SYNTHESIS AND THERMAL CHARACTERIZATIONS OF PMMA NANOCOMPOSITE FUNCTIONALIZED BY POLYHEDRAL OLIGOMERIC SILSESQUIOXANE

A novel polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane/polymethyl methacrylate (POSS/ PMMA) hybrid nanocomposite was synthesized by using potassium persulfate and sodium dodecyl sulfate as the initiator and emulsifier, respectively. The structures of prepared nanocomposites were characterized with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, laser particle size analysis, and X-ray diffraction. The thermal properties of the POSS/PMMA nanocomposites were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicate that POSS could be incorporated into the PMMA matrix at molecular lever and the incorporation of POSS molecules can improve the thermal stability of PMMA. [Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the following free supplemental files: Additional figures]