Polystyrenes Modified with Silsesquioxanes.

摘要

We are continuing a program to design and synthesize well-defined, linear polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) polymers to further develop the structure/property relationships of this important class of technologically useful compounds. A typical POSS-monomer, R7P(Si8O12), is a well-defined octomer.containing a single 'P' functionality for polymerization and seven 'R' groups to solubilize and compatibilize the inorganic filler with the organic matrix. Previously, we have reported the synthesis and characterization of a variety of POSS-styrene copolymers wherein the POSS unit dangles from the main chain in a pendant fashion. We have noted that the POSS cages appear to generate a reversible network material, and the strength of this network is strongly influenced by the seven 'R' groups. This work summarizes and compares the effects of four different R groups: cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, isobutyl and phenyl.