POSS Polymers and Copolymers Thermoplastics

POSS feedstocks, which have been hmctionahzed with various reactive organic groups, can be incorporated into virtually any existing polymer system through either grafting or copolymerization. POSS homopolymers can also be synthesized. The incorporation of the POSS nanocluster cages into polymeric materials by copolymerization 

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The above thermal analysis studies demonstrated the enhanced thermal stability of POSS materials, and suggested that there is potential to improve the flammability properties of polymers when compounded with these macromers. In a typical example of their application as flame retardants, a U.S. patent39 described the use of preceramic materials, namely, polycarbosilanes (PCS), polysilanes (PS), polysilsesquioxane (PSS) resins, and POSS (structures are shown in Figure 8.6) to improve the flammability properties of thermoplastic polymers such as, polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomers such as Kraton (polystyrene-polybutadiene-polystyrene, SBS) and Pebax (polyether block-polyamide copolymer). 

Xiao F, Shen D, Zhang X, Hu S and Xu M (1987) Studies on the morphology of blends of poly(vinyl chloride) and segmented polyurethanes, Polymer 28 2335-2345. Ahn T 0, Han K T, Jeong H M and Lee S W (1992) Miscibility of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers with chlorine-containing polymers, Polymer 33 115-120. Flory P J (1953) Principles of Polymer Chemistry, Cornell University Press, Ithaca. Jeon H G, Mather P T and Haddad T S (2000) Shape memory and nanostructure in poly(norbornyl-poss) copolymers, Polym Int 49 453-457. 

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