Discrete hybrid nanoparticles formed by rapid bulk thermal cure of monotethered POSS-bis(cyanate ester)

PMSE 417

Andrew J. Guenthner, andrew.guenthner@navy.mil, Michael E. Wright, Michael.Wright@navy.mil, Brian J. Petteys, Gregory R. Yandek, Lawrence C. Baldwin, Lee R. Cambrea, lee.cambrea@navy.mil, Conrad Jones, and M. Joseph Roberts. Polymer Science and Engineering Branch, Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, 1900 North Knox Road, Stop 6303, China Lake, CA 93555
Thermal curing of a bis(cyanate ester) monomer, (i-butyl)7Si8O12(CH2)3NHCO(3,5-bis(NCO)benzene), when carried out in bulk solid-state samples at temperatures of 170-210°C, produces discrete ~5 nm particles with Mn ~ 18,000 (polydispersity ~1.5) in less than 5 minutes. Thermogravimetric analysis (supported by FT-IR and elemental analysis) indicates that a silicate network may form on subsequent heating of the cured polymer, leading eventually to formation of SiO2 at high temperatures. Geometric considerations suggest that the observed molecular weight (corresponding to an 18-mer) could be due to the formation (in the ideal case) of a closed truncated tetrahedron with polycyanurate rings at each vertex and a POSS cage surrounded by iso-butyl groups protruding from each edge.
 

Synthesis and Self-Assembly Approaches to Polymer-Inorganic Hybrid Nanoparticles
1:30 PM-4:10 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Hilton New Orleans Riverside -- Grand Salon 24, Oral

Division of Polymeric Materials: Science & Engineering

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008