Silsesquioxanes: POSS Nanohybrids
Definition
A silsesquioxane is an organosilicon compound. Silsesquioxanes(POSS) are colorless solids having Si-O-Si links and tetrahedral Si vertices that adopt cage-like or polymeric structures. Members of the polyoctahedral silsesquioxanes family, silsesquioxanes have gained attention for their potential as predecessors to ceramic materials and nanocomposites.
Classification
There are many kinds of POSS, the specific difference is mainly based on the type and number of R groups, so its application range is wide, and the name is also named according to the different R groups, for example, when the R group is vinyl, amino, phenyl, it can be respectively They are called vinyl POSS, amino POSS, and phenyl POSS. Different active R groups can chemically bond with different polymer matrices.
Advantages
POSS is a newly developed high-performance organic-inorganic hybrid material. POSS is used as the inorganic component, and the inorganic phase and the organic phase are combined through strong chemical bonds, and there is no agglomeration of inorganic particles and interface between the two phases. Therefore, it is easy to be compounded with the polymer matrix by means of copolymerization, grafting, or blending.
The comprehensive properties of POSS nanohybrids are excellent, mainly in:
(1) the service temperature of the composites can be increased;
(2) the mechanical properties of the composites can be improved;
(3) the processing properties of the composites can be improved;
(4) It can make the composite material have significantly delayed combustion characteristics;
(5) It can be multifunctional, and POSS can be used as an end-capping group or a cross-linking curing center, and modified polymers that meet different needs can be obtained.
What Are Plasticizers
A plasticizer is a polymer material additive. Plasticizers are widely used polymer material auxiliaries in the industry. Adding this substance to plastic processing can enhance its flexibility, and can use legally for industrial purposes. There are more than 100 types of plasticizer products, but the most commonly used is a group of compounds called phthalate.
Features of Plasticizers
The ideal plasticizer should have the following performance: good compatibility with polymers; high plasticization efficiency; light resistance; heat resistance; cold resistance; low volatility; small migration; water resistance; solvents resistance; good flame retardant; good bacterial resistance; good electrical insulation; non-toxic; no sniff; odorless; colorless; good pollution resistance; cheap prices.
One plasticizer is difficult to meet the above-mentioned performance at the same time, and it is usually used in coordination. Generally speaking, the plasticizers added are small molecular substances with good compatibility of high boiling point, low hair, and high-molecular polymer.
Applications of Plasticizers
Plasticizers are large industrial products, which are widely used in various fields, including plastic, rubber, adhesive, cellulose, resin, medical equipment, cables, and other thousands of products.
For example, plastic wrap, which is commonly used, is a PE material without additives, but its viscosity is poor; the other is widely used in PVC plastic wrap, which has a large amount of plasticization to make the material of PVC soft and increased viscosity, it is very suitable for the packaging of fresh food.
Cosmetics such as perfumes and nail polish often used by women are used as dental acid esters as fixed aromatics to maintain the smell of spice or make the nail polish film smoother.
