Improved atomic oxygen erosion resistance of the carbon fibre–epoxy interface with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) was grafted onto the surface of carbon fibres (CFs) to fabricate carbon fibre/epoxy (CF/EP) composites with improved interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and atomic oxygen (AO) erosion resistance. POSS-CF was prepared by reacting amine groups on the pretreated CF surface with the POSS to form a continuous uniform layer of siloxane oligomers. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that POSS was successfully grafted onto the CF surface. The ILSS and AO erosion resistance of the POSS-treated CFs and CF-EP interface were improved because a SiO2 passivation layer formed with AO exposure, especially with POSS-EP0409. This is an effective solution for enhancing the interfacial bonding force and interfacial AO erosion resistance for the low-Earth orbit environment.

Synthesis of Preceramic Organomagnesium Oxanealumoxane Siloxanes

Organomagnesiumoxane alumoxane siloxane oligomers with different Al:Mg and Al:Si molar ratio have been synthesized through ethylacetoacetate alkoxyhydroxyalumoxane oligomers co-condensation with magnesium acetylacetonate and oligoethoxysiloxanes in organic solvents (alcohol, toluene) at a temperature of 70–100 °С within 3–6 h with the following solvent distillation. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized oligomers were studied. It is shown that with a molar ratio of Al:Mg ≈ 2 and Al:Si ≈ 1, oligomers have fiber-forming properties. The process of thermotransformation of organomagnesiumoxane alumoxane siloxanes into ceramic phases is investigated. It is found that pyrolysis results in the formation of multicomponent ceramics based on magnesium, aluminum, and silicon oxides, in particular, ceramics with a composition close to that of cordierite 2MgO·2Al2O3·5SiO2 (Mg2Al4Si5O18) or a mixed composition: magnesium-aluminum spinel and mullite. Therefore, the synthesized organomagnesiumoxane alumoxane siloxanes are preceramic oligomers and can be used as precursors for the preparation of various components (binders, impregnating compositions, fibers, ceramic powders) of high-purity ceramic composites based on magnesium, aluminum and silicon oxides.

Supramolecular silicone coating capable of strong substrate bonding, readily damage healing, and easy oil sliding

Polymer coatings with a combined competence of strong bonding to diverse substrates, broad liquid repellency, and readily damage healing are in substantial demand in a range of applications. In this work, we develop damage-healable, oil-repellent supramolecular silicone (DOSS) coatings to harvest abovementioned properties by molecular engineering siloxane oligomers that can self-assemble onto coated substrates via multivalent hydrogen bonding. In addition to the readily damage-healing properties provided by reversible association/dissociation of hydrogen bonding motifs, the unique molecular configuration of the siloxane oligomers on coated substrates enables both robust repellency to organic liquids and strong bonding to various substrates including metals, plastics, and even Teflon. We envision that not only DOSS coatings can be applied in a range of energy, environmental, and biomedical applications that require long-term services in harsh environmental conditions but also the design strategy of the oligomers can be adopted in the development of supramolecular materials with desirable multifunctionality.