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 (1H 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 °C) and the least char residue were found for a cross-linkable POSS, obtained by esterification of the hydroxyl groups with methacryloyl chloride. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd