Poly(methyl methacrylate)/POSS hybrid networks by type II photoinitiated free radical polymerization

Abstract

A new strategy for organic–inorganic hybrid networks is presented through in-situ Type II photoinitiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate with diethanolamino-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS-DEA). The diethanolamino groups are simply incorporated onto POSS nanoparticles by nucleophilic ring-opening reaction of commercially available epoxycyclohexyl POSS and diethanol amine. The photoinitiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of benzophenone as photosensitizer and POSS-DEA as hydrogen donor leads to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/POSS hybrid networks under UV light irradiation. The morphology and thermal properties of hybrid networks are investigated by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The morphology results confirm that POSS cages are homogeneously distributed in PMMA matrix at the molecular levels, whereas the thermal analyses shows that the obtained hybrid networks have higher glass transition temperatures and better thermal stabilities compared to parent PMMA homopolymer. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1614–1620, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers