Thermo(oxidative) stability of novel polyurethane/POSS nanohybrid elastomers

In this work, thermo(oxidative) stability of novel PU/POSS nanohybrids was investigated by thermogravimetry (TG). PU/POSS nanohybrids were synthesized from diphenylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate (MDI), polytetramethylene glycol (Terathane 1000, 1400 and 2000), 1,4-butanediol and 1-(1-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)butyl)-3,5,7,9,11,15-isobutyl-pentacyclo[9.5.1.1.(3,9).1(5,5).1(7,13)] octasiloxane (PHIPOSS). TG showed that the highest thermal stability, both of inert and oxidative atmosphere, have the samples containing 4 and 6 wt.% of PHIPOSS. Maximum rate degradation temperatures are shifted toward higher temperatures. These results are discussed in terms of restricted molecular mobility of PU macrochains in the presence of POSS and by reduction of rate of volatile products’ emission.