Hyperbranched polymer/TiO2 hybrid nanoparticles synthesized via an in situ sol-gel process

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Anna Di Gianni - , Polytechnic University of Turin (Author)
  • Sondes Trabelsi - , Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Giancarlo Rizza - , French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) (Author)
  • Marco Sangermano - , Polytechnic University of Turin (Author)
  • Holger Althues - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Stefan Kaskel - , Chair of Inorganic Chemistry I (Author)
  • Brigitte Voit - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)

Abstract

Two different kinds of HBPs were used in the preparation of nanocomposite materials based on TiO2 nanoparticles. One of the HBPs was characterized by the presence of free OH end groups in its structure, while the other one was obtained via a partial modification reaction which allowed to introduce some alkoxysilane functional groups. The TiO2 particles were prepared in situ in the polymer solution by means of a sol-gel process starting from Ti(iOPr)4 as precursor. The polymer/TiO2 mixture, subsequently coated and cured in the presence of diisocyanate, gave rise to a hard coating. TiO2 was found to be dispersed on nanometer scale inside the final coatings obtained from both the polymers, and the TiO2 nanocomposite coatings were also characterized by improved thermal and hardness properties compared to TiO2 free systems. Still the two different kinds of HBPs showed a different interaction with the TiO 2 particles, and it has been evidenced that the modification is required to achieve a better dispersion of the particles in the matrix and better properties for the final coating. Thus, by applying the modified HBP, TiO2 could be dispersed and stabilized in the polymer matrix as individual nanoparticles of only 6 nm in diameter.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)76-86
Number of pages11
JournalMacromolecular chemistry and physics : MCP
Volume208
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2 Jan 2007
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

WOS 000244258300010
ORCID /0000-0002-4531-691X/work/148607616

Keywords