Inorganic-Organic Composites, Including Some Examples Involving Polyamides andPolyimides

摘要

Inorganic-organic composites are frequently synthesized using techniques verysimilar to those used in the new sol-gel approach to ceramics. Organometallics such as silicates, titanates, and aluminates are hydrolyzed in the presence of polymer chains that typically contain reactive groups for bonding onto the silica, titania, or alumina being formed in the hydrolysis, thus forming inorganic-organic composites. When the polymer chains are present in excess, they constitute the continuous phase, with the ceramic-type material appearing as reinforcing particles. When present in smaller amounts, the polymer is dispersed in the continuous ceramic phase, to give a polymer-modified ceramic. Under some conditions, bicontinuous systems are obtained. jg p3.