Preparation and characterization of cellulose hybrids grafted with the polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS)

The cellulose hybrids with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) are synthesized by cross-linking graft reaction. Dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DDEU) as cross-linking agent is used in the graft reaction. The chemical and surface morphological structures of the am-POSS grafted cellulose hybrids are characterized with micro-FT-IR spectra, silicon element analysis, X-ray diffraction, SEM, AFM, and DSC. The results show that the am-POSS grafted cellulose hybrids form new macromolecular structures containing POSS nano-silica particles. POSS particles are evenly dispersed at the nanometer scale in the cellulose host matrix, bonding to the cellulose through covalent bonds. The thermal properties of the am-POSS grafted cellulose hybrids are improved.