Dependence of silica particle sizes on network chain lengths,silica contents,and catalyst concentrations in in situ‐reinforced polysiloxane elastomers

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) networks were prepared by tetrafunctionally end‐linking hydroxyl‐terminated chains with tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). Molecular composites were then prepared by in situ sol–gel reactions on additional TEOS swelled into the networks, resulting in the formation of reinforcing silica fillers within the host elastomers. The amount of filler generated generally increased linearly with an increase in the TEOS swelling ratio, as expected. The silica particles formed were examined by small‐angle X‐ray scattering. Of particular interest were the relationships between particle size and molecular weight M_c of the network chains (mesh sizes), amount of filler introduced, and catalyst concentration. Particle sizes were smallest for the smallest values of M_c, possibly demonstrating constraining effects from the very short network chains. At fixed M_c and filler concentrations, higher catalyst concentrations gave larger particles. Increase in filler concentration generally had little effect on particle size at low and high loadings, but markedly increased sizes at intermediate levels (10–20 wt %), presumably caused by coalescence of the scattering entities into considerably larger aggregates. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1421–1427, 1999     

Flame‐retardant epoxy resins: An approach from organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposites

Phosphorus‐containing epoxy‐based epoxy–silica hybrid materials with a nanostructure were obtained from bis(3‐glycidyloxy)phenylphosphine oxide, diaminodiphenylmethane, and tetraethoxysilane in the presence of the catalyst p‐toluenesulfonic acid via an in situ sol–gel process. The silica formed on a nanometer scale in the epoxy resin was characterized with Fourier transform infrared, NMR, and scanning electron microscopy. The glass‐transition temperatures of the hybrid epoxy resins increased with the silica content. The nanometer‐scale silica showed an enhancement effect of improving the flame‐retardant properties of the epoxy resins. The phosphorus–silica synergistic effect on the limited oxygen index (LOI) enhancement was also observed with a high LOI value of 44.5. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 986–996, 2001     

Influence of reaction parameters on the structure of in situ rubber/silica compounds synthesized via sol–gel reaction

In situ silica was synthesized in three non‐vulcanized rubber matrices, namely natural rubber, styrene‐butadiene rubber, and EPDM (ethylene‐propylene diene ter‐polymer), using the sol–gel method with tetra‐ethoxysilane (TEOS) as silica precursor and hexylamine as catalyst. The effect of the reaction parameters such as the amount of TEOS, the reaction time (15–120 min), and the type of rubber was explored. Transmission electron microscopy was used to study the gradient in silica content and particle size over the sample thickness. The diffusion gradient of TEOS and catalyst solution in the rubber matrix responsible for the gradient was studied with Fick's law. An excellent dispersion of silica was obtained for all rubbers, even for the very non‐polar EPDM, without the use of any additives to improve the dispersion. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 967–978     

Preparation of macroporous functionalized polymer beads by a multistep polymerization and their application in zirconocene catalysts for ethylene polymerization

Macroporous functionalized polymer beads of poly(4‐vinylpyridine‐co‐1,4‐divinylbenzene) [P(VPy‐co‐DVB)] were prepared by a multistep polymerization, including a polystyrene (PS) shape template by emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization, linear PS seeds by staged template suspension polymerization, and macroporous functionalized polymer beads of P(VPy‐co‐DVB) by multistep seeded polymerization. The polymer beads, having a cellular texture, were made of many small, spherical particles. The bead size was 10–50 μm, and the pore size was 0.1–1.5 μm. The polymer beads were used as supports for zirconocene catalysts in ethylene polymerization. They were very different from traditional polymer supports. The polymer beads could be exfoliated to yield many spherical particles dispersed in the resulting polyethylene particles during ethylene polymerization. The influence of the polymer beads on the catalytic behavior of the supported catalyst and morphology of the resulting polyethylene was investigated. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 873–880, 2003     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate via reversibly supported catalysts on silica gel via self‐assembly

A reversible catalyst immobilization system via self‐assembly of hydrogen bonding between thymine anchored on silica gel support and 2,6‐diaminopyridine functionalized with a catalyst (copper bromide‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetraethyldiethylenetriamine (TEDETA) complex) was developed for the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA). At elevated temperatures, the hydrogen bonding disassociated and released the catalyst as free small molecules for catalysis, which effectively mediated a living polymerization of MMA, producing PMMA with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution (<1.3). At room temperature, the catalyst assembled on the silica gel support by hydrogen bonding, and thus could be recovered and reused for a second run of ATRP. The recovered catalyst still mediated a living polymerization of MMA with reduced activity (54–64%), but had much improved control of the polymerization. The resulting PMMA had molecular weights very close to theoretical vales. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 22–30, 2004     

Viscosity,particle size distribution,and structural investigation of tetramethyloxysilane/2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate sols during the sol–gel process with acid and base catalysts

The tetramethoxysilane (TMOS)/2‐hydroxylethyl methacrylate (HEMA) hybrid gels were synthesized with acid and base catalysts, via the in situ polymerization of HEMA, with and without the cosolvent methanol. With methanol in the TMOS/HEMA sol, the enhanced esterification and depolymerization reactions of the silanols resulted in a slower growth of silica particles. The silica particles that were synthesized with an acid catalyst were less than 40 nm. The thermal resistance of the poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) chains was enhanced by the addition of colloidal silica. The Fourier transform infrared characterizations and the exothermal peaks on the differential scanning calorimetry traces of these hybrid gels indicated chemical hybridization occurring as a result of condensation of the colloid silica and PHEMA at higher temperatures. Hence, the residual weight content of the hybrid gel after its synthesis with the base catalyst was even higher than the content of TMOS in the hybrid sol. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3476–3486, 2004     

In situ polymerization of silicic acid in polyethylene–octene elastomer: Properties and characterization of the hybrid nanocomposites

Silicic acid produced from sodium metasilicate hydrate and metallocene polyethylene–octene elastomer (POE) were chosen as the ceramic precursor and the continuous phase, respectively, for preparation of new hybrids by an in situ sol–gel process. To obtain a better hybrid, the acrylic acid‐grafted polyethylene–octene elastomer (POE‐g‐AA) prepared in our laboratory and used as the continuous phase was also investigated. Characterizations of POE/SiO₂ and POE‐g‐AA/SiO₂ composites were performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ²⁹Si solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry, X‐ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry analysis, and an Instron mechanical tester. The POE‐g‐AA/SiO₂ hybrid could give the positive effect on the properties of POE/SiO₂ hybrid because the carboxylic acid groups of acrylic acid should act as coordination sites for the silica phase to form chemical bonds. The result of ²⁹Si solid‐state NMR spectra showed that Si atom coordination around SiO₄ units is predominantly Q₃ and Q₄. Also, the POE‐g‐AA/SiO₂ hybrid with 15 wt % SiO₂ gave the maximum values of tensile strength and glass‐transition temperature because excess particles might cause the separation between the organic and inorganic phases when the silica content was beyond this point. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 351–359, 2003     

Synthesis and new application of green and recyclable cyclic poly(L‐lactide)‐clay hybrid

We report on the application of biodegradable cyclic poly(L ‐lactide) (PLLA) as new stabilizer; synthesis and application of a cyclic PLLA‐clay hybrid material as recyclable catalyst support. Cyclic PLLAs were used to stabilize palladium nanoparticles synthesized by a wet chemical method. It was found that the palladium particles were smaller with cyclic PLLA stabilizer (～5–10 nm) than the particles obtained from linear PLLA. The cyclic PLLA‐clay hybrid was prepared by a zwitterionic ring‐opening polymerization catalyzed by in situ‐generated N‐heterocyclic carbene catalyst. Palladium (0) nanoparticles were supported and well dispersed on the cyclic PLLA‐clay hybrid to form a new nanocomposite. The nanocomposite was found to be a highly efficient and recyclable catalyst for the aminocarbonylation reactions of aryl halides with various amines. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4167–4174     

A facile method for the preparation of monodisperse hollow silica spheres with controlled shell thickness

This article presents a facile, effective, mild synthesis process for well‐defined hollow spheres by using cationic polystyrene (PS) submicro‐particles as templates. In this approach, the cationic PS templates can be first prepared via emulsifier‐free polymerization by using the cationic monomer 2‐(methacryloyloxy) ethyltrimethylammonium chloride as comonomer, then, the silica shells from the sol‐gel process of tetraethoxysilane were coated on the surfaces of template particles via electrostatic interaction, finally the PS was dissolved in situ by modification of the reaction conditions in the same medium to form monodisperse hollow silica spheres with controlled shell thickness. Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscope measurements were used to characterize these hollow silica spheres. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1332–1338, 2010     

Preparation and characterization of polymer/silica nanocomposites via double in situ miniemulsion polymerization

Polymer/SiO₂ nanocomposite microspheres were prepared by double in situ miniemulsion polymerization in the presence of methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, γ‐methacryloxy(propyl) trimethoxysilane, and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). By taking full advantage of phase separation between the growing polymer particles and TEOS, inorganic/polymer microspheres were fabricated successfully in a one‐step process with the formation of SiO₂ particles and the polymerization of organic monomers taking place simultaneously. The morphology of nanocomposite microspheres and the microstructure, mechanical properties, thermal properties, and optical properties of the nanocomposite films were characterized and discussed. The results showed that hybrid microspheres had a raspberry‐like structure with silica nanoparticles on the shells of polymer. The silica particles of about 20 nm were highly dispersed within the nanocomposite films without aggregations. The transmittance of nanocomposite film was comparable to that of the copolymer film at around 70–80% from 400 to 800 nm. The mechanical properties and the fire‐retardant behavior of the polymer matrix were improved by the incorporation of silica nanoparticles. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3128–3134, 2010     

Pore size modification of macroporous crosslinked poly(dicyclopentadiene)

This article describes the pore size modification and in situ surface functionalization of macroporous crosslinked poly(dicyclopentadiene), produced by chemically induced phase separation, with norbornene‐functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) telechelic oligomers. The microstructure of the open porosity materials produced with this technique consisted of agglomerated particles. The incorporation of these telechelic oligomers allowed a substantial decrease in the pore size and a related increase in the internal surface area. These functionalized oligomers acted as stabilizers around the primary particles produced by phase separation and blocked their growth so that the materials resulting from the agglomeration of these smaller particles showed finer microstructures. The resulting porous materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, density measurements, nitrogen adsorption, and mercury porosimetry. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2036–2046, 2003     

Preparation and application of a novel core–shell‐particle‐supported zirconocene catalyst

The use of functional groups bearing silica/poly(styrene‐co‐4‐vinylpyridine) core–shell particles as a support for a zirconocene catalyst in ethylene polymerization was studied. Several factors affecting the behavior of the supported catalyst and the properties of the resulting polymer, such as time, temperature, Al/N (molar ratio), and Al/Zr (molar ratio), were examined. The conditions of the supported catalyst preparation were more important than those of the ethylene polymerization. The state of the supported catalyst itself played a decisive role in both the catalytic behavior of the supported catalyst and the properties of polyethylene (PE). IR and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to follow the formation of the supports. The formation of cationic active species is hypothesized, and the performance of the core–shell‐particle‐supported zirconocene catalyst is discussed as well. The bulk density of the PE formed was higher than that of the polymer obtained from homogeneous and polymer‐supported Cp₂ZrCl₂/methylaluminoxane catalyst systems. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2085–2092, 2001     

Thermosensitive polymer brush‐supported 4‐N,N‐dialkylaminopyridine on silica particles as catalyst for hydrolysis of an activated ester in aqueous buffers: Comparison of activity with linear polymer‐supported version and effect of LCST transition

We report on the synthesis of a thermosensitive polymer brush‐supported 4‐N,N‐dialkylaminopyridine catalyst and the comparison of its catalytic activity with the corresponding linear polymer‐supported version in the hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenyl acetate (NPA) as well as the effect of lower critical solution temperature (LCST) transition on catalytic activity. The polymer brushes were synthesized from initiator‐functionalized silica particles by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of methoxytri(ethylene glycol) methacrylate and 2‐(N‐methyl‐N‐(4‐pyridyl)amino)ethyl methacrylate in the presence of a free initiator. Dynamic light scattering studies showed that the onset temperatures of the LCST transition of polymer brushes in pH 7.52 and 7.82 buffers were 42 and 38 °C, respectively. Under the same reaction conditions, the net initial rate of the hydrolysis of NPA catalyzed by hairy particles was 70–80% of that catalyzed by the free copolymer at the temperature below the LCST of polymer brushes. With further increasing the temperature above the LCST, the plot of logarithm of net initial rate versus inverse temperature exhibited a shift for the reactions catalyzed by hairy particles and leveled off or decreased slightly in the case of using the free copolymer as catalyst, presumably because the structures of the aggregates of hairy particles and free copolymer chains were different. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2853–2870, 2009     

Nanocomposites of vinyl chloride–acrylonitrile copolymer and silica

Vinyl chloride–acrylonitrile (VC–AN) copolymer was synthesized through emulsion copolymerization. VC–AN copolymer/silica nanocomposites were prepared by solution blending of copolymer and silica in a common solvent, N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). The rheology studies show that the shear‐thinning behavior of the VC–AN copolymer solution becomes less distinct as nano particles are introduced. It was also found that the viscosity of the copolymer solution decreases with adding small amount of nano particles. Transmission electron microscopy observations indicate that the UV‐treated silica could disperse well in the copolymer matrix. Differential scanning calorimeter studies suggest that the presence of the silica suppresses crystallization of the AN segments in the copolymers. Because of the interactions between copolymer chains and inorganic particles, the thermal stability and mechanical strength of the VC–AN copolymers are improved considerably. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 3127–3134, 2005     

Effect of carbon dioxide sorption on the phase behavior of weakly interacting polymer mixtures: Solvent‐induced segregation in deuterated polybutadiene/polyisoprene blends

The effect of carbon dioxide (CO₂) sorption on the lower critical solution temperatures of deuterated polybutadiene/polyisoprene blends was determined with in situ small‐angle neutron scattering. CO₂ was a poor solvent for both polymers and exhibited very weak selectivity between the blend components. The sorption of modest concentrations of CO₂, at pressures up to 160 bar, induced phase segregation at temperatures well below the binary‐phase‐separation temperature and caused an increased asymmetry in the lower critical solution temperature curve. The origin of solvent‐induced phase segregation in this weakly interacting polymer blend system was attributed predominantly to an exacerbation of the existing disparity in the compressibility of the components upon CO₂ sorption. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 3114–3126, 2003     

Influence of sample preparation and processing on observed glass transition temperatures of polymer nanocomposites

Polymer composites composed of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and silica (14 nm diameter) have been investigated. The influences of sample preparation and processing have been probed. Two types of sample preparation methods were investigated: (i) solution mixture of PMMA and silica in methyl ethyl ketone and (ii) in situ synthesis of PMMA in the presence of silica. After removing all solvent or monomer, as confirmed using thermogravimetric analysis, and after compression molding, drops in T_g of 5–15 °C were observed for all composites (2–12% w/w silica) and even pure polymer reference samples. However, after additional annealing for 72 h at 140 °C, all previously observed drops in T_g disappeared, and the intrinsic T_g of bulk, pure PMMA was again observed. This is indicative of nonequilibrium trapped voids being present in the as‐molded samples. Field‐emission scanning electron microscopy was used to show well‐dispersed particles, and dynamic mechanical analysis was used to probe the mechanical properties (i.e., storage modulus) of the fully equilibrated composites. Even though no equilibrium T_g changes were observed, the addition of silica to the PMMA matrices was observed to improve the mechanical properties of the glassy polymer host. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 2270–2276, 2007     

Synthesis of branched polypropylene with isotactic backbone and atactic side chains by binary iron and zirconium single‐site catalysts

This article reports the use of a binary single‐site catalyst system for synthesizing comb‐branched polypropylene samples having isotactic polypropylene (iPP) backbones and atactic polypropylene (aPP) side chains from propylene feedstock. This catalyst system consisted of the bisiminepyridine iron catalyst {[2‐ArN?C(Me)]₂C₅H₃N}FeCl₂ [Ar = 2,6‐C₆H₃(Me)₂] ( 1 ) and the zirconocene catalyst rac‐Me₂Si(2‐MeBenz[e]Ind)₂ZrCl₂ ( 2 ). The former in situ generated 1‐propenyl‐ended aPP macromonomer, whereas the latter incorporated the macromonomer into the copolymer. The effects of reaction conditions, such as the catalyst addition procedure and the ratio of 1 / 2 on the branching frequency, were examined. Copolymer samples having a branching density up to 8.6 aPP side chains per 1000 iPP monomer units were obtained. The branched copolymers were characterized by ¹³C NMR and differential scanning calorimetry. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1152–1159, 2003     

Performance of the Cr[CH(SiMe3)2]3/SiO2 catalyst for ethylene polymerization compared with the performance of the Phillips catalyst

The catalysis of a silica‐supported chromium system {Cr[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₃/SiO₂} was compared with a silica‐supported chromium oxide catalyst, the Phillips catalyst (CrO₃/SiO₂). This catalyst was prepared by the calcining of the typical silica support used for the Phillips catalyst at 600 °C and by the support of tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]chromium(III) {Cr[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₃} on the silica. In the slurry‐phase polymerization, this catalyst conducted the polymerization of ethylene at a high activity without organoaluminum compounds as cocatalysts or scavengers. The activity per Cr was about 6–7 times higher than that of the Phillips catalyst. Upon the introduction of hydrogen to the system, the molecular weight of polyethylene did not change with the Phillips catalyst, but it decreased with the Cr[CH(SiMe₃)₂]₃/SiO₂ catalyst. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 413–419, 2003     

In Situ Monitoring of the Generation of Monodisperse Silica Particles during the Hydrolysis of Tetraethyl Orthosilicate with Piezoelectric Quartz Crystal Impedance Analyzer

The piezoelectric quartz crystal(PQC)impedance analyzer was used to monitor in situ the generation of monodisperse silica particles during the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and their adsorption onto and Au electrode in alcohol solutions containing water(6-15mol/L)and ammonia(0.2-2.0 mol/L).The equivalent circuit parameters,the resonance frequencies and the half-peak width values of the conductance spectra of the PQC resonance were obtained.The resonant frequency decreased notably while the motional resistance changed very slightly(within 1Ω during the hydrolysis reaction,suggesting that the mass effect dominated the adsorption of generated monodisperse silica particles on the gold electrode in this system.Changes in f0 indicated that the ammonia concentration affected the hydrolytic reaction obviously,and the influence of water concentration on the reaction was small while the water was significantly excessive.Kinetics of monodisperse silica particle adsorption occurring at the electrode i solution interface was analyzed using a first-order reaction scheme.In addition,the electrolyte-induced precipitation of the monodisperse silica of adsorbed particles per area and the converge of monodisperse silica particles were obtained from scanning electron nicroscope(SEM)observations.     

Surface‐dependent effect of functional silica fillers on photocuring kinetics of hydrogel materials

Two types of silica: precipitated (P, prepared in non‐polar media, a new type, submicrometer sized) and fumed (F, nanosized), both unmodified and surface modified are investigated as functional fillers for potential applications in nanocomposites with poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) matrix. Special attention is paid to the kinetics of composite formation in an in situ photopolymerization process. Silica‐containing formulations polymerize faster; this effect is much stronger for silica P having much larger particle size than silica F. Surface treatment leads to further acceleration of the polymerization in case of silica P but to retardation in case of silica F; the effect of modification of the filler surface on properties of composites is different for each of the silicas. The obtained results are discussed in terms of effects of curvature of silica particles, surface properties, solvation cell, interphase region, viscosity changes, and morphology of the resulting composites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3472–3487