Preparation and properties of organic-inorganic hybrid materials from sodium silicate

SummaryIn this study, organic-inorganic hybrid monomer, poly silicic acid urethane methacrylate (PSUMA), was prepared by reaction of poly silicic acid extracted from sodium silicate aqueous solution with THF and 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl isocyanate. The PSUMA was copolymerized with methyl methacrylate to obtain hybrid copolymers. The material properties such as mechanical properties, thermal properties, Vickers hardness, transparency and so on were evaluated. The PMMA-PSUMA hybrid copolymers kept high transparency and showed higher elastic modulus and Vickers hardness than those of raw PMMA. Moreover, in comparison with PMMA, the hybrid copolymers had greater heat-resistance and lower volume contraction.