Synthesis and characterizations of novel, positively charged poly(methyl acrylate)–SiO2 nanocomposites

A series of positively charged poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA)–SiO2 nanocomposites were prepared through the sol–gel process of positively charged alkoxysilane-containing polymer precursors. The precursors were synthesized by coupling different amounts of N-[3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl] ethylene diamine (A-1120) to poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), followed by a quaternization reaction. These precursors were then hydrolyzed and condensed to generate PMA–SiO2 hybrid sol–gel materials. IR and 1H NMR measurements were conducted to confirm the chemical structure of the step products during the hybrids preparation. Thermal stabilities of the hybrids were conducted by DSC, TGA and their nanoscale microphase separation was distinguished by FE-SEM. Anion-exchange capacities of these nanocomposites were examined to be in the range of 0.19−1.20 mmol/g.