Thermal and mechanical properties of liquid-like trisilanol isobutyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) derivative/epoxy nanocomposites

Liquid-like trisilanol isobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes derivative (L-POSS-D) was synthesized with γ-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propytrimethoxysilane (KH560) as corona and polyetheramine M1000 as canopy. Its structure and properties were characterized by FTIR, XPS, TGA and Rheology data. Epoxy nanocomposites with 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 wt% content of L-POSS-D were prepared. T g of the nanocomposites improved 47.6°C higher than pure epoxy resin. Mechanical properties, including flexural strength and impact toughness, were improved markedly with L-POSS-D. The morphologies of impact fracture were studied by SEM. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:691–698, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers