(544b) Effect of Functionalized POSS on the Structure and Properties of Polymer Thin Films

Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) is an inorganic-organic nanoparticle that offers a unique opportunity to tailor the properties of hybrid polymeric materials. Similarly, Polymer blending is a key strategy for enhancing properties in recycled and new hybrid materials. This study investigates the synergistic effects of incorporating Octamethyl and DodecaPhenyl functionalized POSS into Polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) blend thin films at loadings ranging from 0 – 30 wt%. Using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), we characterize the nanoscale morphology, in-plane structure, depth profile, and dispersion state of the nanoparticles within the blend thin films. Additionally, the surface energy of the films is evaluated by contact angle measurements. Our findings reveal that the segregation of POSS to the surface reduces the surface free energy of the polymer nanocomposite, impacting the surface properties. The dewetting behavior of the polymer films was also investigated, as this phenomenon is affected by the interfacial structure and interaction potential of the multi-component system. It was observed that the inclusion of octamethyl-POSS suppresses dewetting in Polystyrene thin films at a critical loading of 2 wt%. Furthermore, strain-induced elastic buckling measurement was used to evaluate the elastic modulus of hybrid polymer thin films. This study enhances the fundamental understanding and offers insights valuable in advancing polymer coatings and thin films technologies.