Synthesis and characterization of epoxy modified cyanate ester POSS nanocomposites

Abstract

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) viz; namely, Octa functional silsesquioxanes [octa amino (OAPS) and octa glycidyl (OG)] reinforced epoxy modified cyanate ester nanocomposites were prepared through intercrosslinked network. The intercrosslinking formation between cyanate ester and POSS was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology of nanocomposites was studied using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy techniques. The electrical properties of the nanocomposites were evaluated by impedance analyzer. The influences of POSS macromer on the thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy modified cyanate ester nanocomposites were also addressed. The thermogravimetric analysis indicates that the thermal stability of the nanocomposites increases with increasing percentage of both types of POSS macromer. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss are decreased with increasing POSS concentration in the epoxy modified cyanate ester nanocomposites.