Characterization of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone-co-isobutylstyryl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane) nanocomposites

Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone-co-isobutyl styryl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane)s (PVP-POSS) were synthesized by one-step polymerization and characterized 13 using FTIR, high-resolution H-1-NMR, solid-state C-13-NMR, Si-29-NMR, GPC, and DSC. The POSS content can be controlled by varying the POSS feed ratio. The T-g of the PVP-FOSS hybrid is influenced by three main factors: (1) a diluent role of the POSS in reducing the self-association of the PVP; (2) a strong interaction between the POSS siloxane and the PVP carbonyl, and (3) physical aggregation of nanosized POSS. At a relatively low FOSS content, the role as diluent dominates, resulting in a decrease in T-g. At a relatively high POSS content, the last two factors dominate and result in T-g increase of the PVP-POSS hybrid. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.