Nanocomposites of Polyhydroxyurethane with POSS Microdomains: Synthesis via Non-Isocyanate Approach, Morphologies and Reprocessing Properties

In this contribution, we reported the synthesis of a novel trifunctional POSS cyclic carbonate [POSS-3(5CC)]. With a difunctional five-member cyclic carbonate and a trifunctional polyetheramine as the precursor, the nanocomposites of polyhydroxyurethane (PHU) with POSS were synthesized. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the nanocomposites of PHUs with POSS were microphase-separated; the spherical POSS microdomains via POSS-POSS interactions were generated with the size of 20 similar to 40 nm in diameter. After the introduction of POSS microdomains, the nanocomposites displayed improved thermal and mechanical properties. More importantly, the nanocomposites still displayed the reprocessing properties of vitrimers.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel trifunctional POSS cyclic carbonate was synthesized and used to create nanocomposites of polyhydroxyurethane with POSS. The incorporation of POSS microdomains resulted in improved thermal and mechanical properties, while retaining the reprocessing properties of vitrimers.