The synthesis and characterization of polystyrene/magnetic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanocomposites

Fc–CHCH–C6H6–(C5H9)7Si8O12 (POSS1, Fc: ferrocene) which contain both metal and CC double bond was firstly synthesized by Wittig reaction. The chemical structure of POSS1 was characterized by FTIR, 1H, 13C and 29Si NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis, and the magnetic property of POSS1 have also been studied. Polystyrene composites containing inorganic–organic hybrid polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS1) were prepared by bulk free radical polymerization. XRD and TEM studies indicate that POSS1 is completely dispersed at molecular level in PS matrix when 1 wt% POSS1 is introduced, while some POSS1-rich nanoparticals are present when content of POSS1 is beyond 3 wt%. GPC results show that molecular weight of the PS/POSS1 nanocomposites are increased with addition of POSS1. TGA and TMA data show the thermal stabilities of PS/POSS1 nanocomposites have been improved compared to neat PS. The PS/POSS1 nanocomposites also display higher glass transition temperatures (Tg) in comparison with neat PS. Viscoelastic properties of PS/POSS1 nanocomposites were investigated by DMTA. The results show the storage modulus (E′) values (temperature>Tg) and the loss factor peak values of the PS/POSS1 nanocomposites are higher than that of neat PS. Mechanical properties of the PS/POSS1 nanocomposites are improved compared to the neat PS.