POSS-pendanted in epoxy chain inorganic-organic hybrid for highly thermo-mechanical, permeable and hydrothermal-resistant coatings

Abstract

Organic-inorganic hybrid is prepared by grafting nano-scaled methacrylisobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (MA-POSS) onto glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) via the combining of free radical polymerization, epoxy opening reaction and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) techniques. The obtained (MA-POSS)-pendanted epoxy hybrid, PGMA-g-P(MA-POSS), are discussed fot their highly thermo-mechnical property, hydrothermal resistance and permeability based on the self-assembled micelles. In THF solution, PGMA-g-P(MA-POSS) could self-assembly into 110–800 nm sphereric core-shell micelles, while, the pre-curing PGMA-g-P(MA-POSS) distributes 60–600 nm core-shell micelles because the developed three-dimensional network structure makes the PGMA chains twining and cross-linking tightly leading to the shrinkage of particles. These self-assembled micelles have provided the casted films with 0.19–14.4 nm surface roughness, significant water resistance (SCA = 113-123°), high thermal stability (Td = 300–600 °C) and strong adhesive strength (216–333 N). Compared with the poor adhesive strength for commercial epoxy resin (E-51) decreased from 393 N to 28 N after 15 hydrothermal cycles, the obtained PGMA-g-P(MA-POSS) displays super thermal endurance properties and humidity resistance by keeping a relative constant adhesive strength (from 340 N to 337 N). Furthermore, PGMA-g-P(MA-POSS) also gives much better permeability to the protective treated sandstone than E-51. Therefore, PGMA-g-P(MA-POSS) is prospected to serve as coatings with great potential applications.