Preparation of Novel, Nanocomposite Stannoxane-Based Organic–Inorganic Epoxy Polymers containing Ionic bonds

• Published in: Macromolecules 2012-01, Vol.45 (1), p.221-237
• Main Authors: Strachota, Adam, Ribot, François, Matějka, Libor, Whelan, Paul, Starovoytova, Larisa, Pleštil, Josef, Steinhart, Miloš, Šlouf, Miroslav, Hromádková, Jiřina, Kovářová, Jana, Špírková, Milena, Strachota, Beata
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical Sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Material chemistry; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0024-9297; 1520-5835
• DOI: 10.1021/ma201178j

Polymer nanocomposites of epoxies with a novel filler, amino-functional butyltin oxide cage (stannoxane), were prepared and characterized. The nanofiller displays a promising antioxidizing effect, besides mechanical matrix reinforcement. The reinforcement can be assigned to physical interactions among the polymer bonded nanofiller. Moreover, the stannoxane cage undergoes a rearrangement to larger poly amino-functional nano-objects at higher temperatures, which highly reduces its extractability: it is practically not extractable from the nanocomposites in most cases. This, together with the fact that only a few weight percent are needed to achieve an optimal effect, makes it attractive as an antioxidative stabilizer. Epoxy–stannoxane nanocomposite synthesis, stannoxane reactivity and dispersion (morphology via TEM and SAXS), as well as the nanofiller effect on mechanical properties (DMTA) and on thermal stability are discussed. A brief comparison is drawn between the stannoxanes and the previously investigated POSS nanofiller.