Polysilsesquioxane reinforced cardanol derived elastomeric thermoset: preparation, characterization and properties

The uniform dispersion of polysilsesquioxane (POSS) in the matrix and strong interfacial bonding polysilsesquioxane (POSS) particulate and epoxy chains are critical for achieving epoxy/POSS with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties. In this study, polysilsesquioxane (POSS) reinforced bio-based cardanol NC-514 s epoxy elastomeric network was prepared, and the effects of POSS content on the mechanical and thermal properties of the as-prepared sample were investigated. Polysilsesquixane (POSS) modification biobased cardanol NC-514 s epoxy elastomeric (POSS-NC) was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Mechanical tests showed that the tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation-at-break of the prepared materials increased with an increase of POSS content. DSC and TGA analyses showed the increased trend of glass transition temperature with the addition of POSS. Typically, the epoxy thermoset without/with 10% (by wt) POSS increased tensile strength from 1.18 to 3.69 MPa, and Young's modulus from 1.08 to 2.71 MPa, increased elongation from 100.85 to 122.61% and increased glass temperature from 24.2 to 48.0 ºC by DSC and 32.5 to 45.1 ºC by DMA, respectively. This novel POSS reinforced bio-based renewable cashew phenol epoxy elastomer provided an ideal candidate for toughening epoxy-based thermosetting materials, showing the potential application of bio-based epoxy-based composite materials. Graphical abstract