Interfacial properties of POSS-nanofillers

Surface treatments can dramatically alter polymer-filler interactions. Incomplete condensation and variable organic substitution on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS, a model nanofiller) molecules alter their affinity for the air/water interface and polymers that serve as models for pressure sensitive and hot-melt adhesives under humid conditions. The effect of POSS structure on surface pressure isotherm and Brewster angle microscopy studies of various phase transitions within blends of comparable thickness to the POSS molecules will be presented.