Synthesis and characterization of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquixanes nanocomposites

This article reports the preparation of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)– polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) nanocomposites through in situ polymerization. The chemical structure of the PTT–POSS nanocomposites was characterized with Fourier‐transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies and the presence of POSS was further confirmed by the elemental analysis. The crystal structures as well as the position of POSS in the nanocomposites were ascertained by the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Thermal characterization studies showed the gradual decrease in the glass transition and melt crystallization temperatures. Though the thermal stability of the PTT was not affected by the incorporation of POSS, the amount of residues obtained from thermal degradation process was increased with an increase in the content of POSS. The tensile studies showed that the values of initial modulus and breaking strength were dramatically decreased with an increase in the content of POSS. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers