Preparations, Structures, and Properties of Polysiloxane-Silica Composites Prepared from a Variety of Hydrolyzable Precursors

ABSTRACTPoly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) networks were prepared by tetrafunctionally endlinking hydroxyl-terminated chains with tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The resulting networks were filled in-situ by hydrolysis-condensation reactions that were either acid or base catalyzed reactions on some novel precursors. These precursors included star-shaped molecules, rings, linear comb-like chains, and pre-hydrolyzed products of silanes such as TEOS. Both monomethoxy and trimethoxy groups were used as hydrolyzable groups on these molecules. The structures of the resulting composites were examined by small-angle X-ray scattering, and their mechanical properties were determined using equilibrium stress-strain measurements in elongation. Novel precursors with monomethoxy functionalities did not generate stable particulates, but those with trimethoxy functionalities did, with some improvements in mechanical properties. Partially-hydrolyzed TEOS provided the best reinforcement of these PDMS elastomers.