Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline polyhedral oligo silsesquioxanes (POSS) with cross-linkable functionalities

Abstract

A facile synthesis was employed for three polyhedral oligo silsequioxanes (POSS), obtaining incompletely condensed structures with fern-like and cubic morphologies. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-1 NMR) indicated the successful synthesis of the proposed POSS structures. The hydroxyl groups affected the manner and type of POSS morphology, as seen under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed the availability of surface hydroxyl groups that contributed to the formation of a higher amount of char residue, as found from TGA analysis. The highest decomposition temperature (281 degrees C) and the least char residue were found for a cross-linkable POSS, obtained by esterification of the hydroxyl groups with methacryloyl chloride.