Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Materials: Tailoring Carbon Dioxide-Based Polycarbonate with POSS-SH Crosslinking

A novel functional polycarbonate (PAGC), characterized by the presence of double bonds within its side chain, was successfully synthesized through a ternary copolymerization of propylene oxide (PO), allyl glycidyl ether (AGE), and carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>). Polyhedral oligomeric si...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yue Li, Jianyu Liu, Rui Qu, Hongyi Suo, Miao Sun, Yusheng Qin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-04-01
Series:Polymers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/16/7/983
Description
Summary:A novel functional polycarbonate (PAGC), characterized by the presence of double bonds within its side chain, was successfully synthesized through a ternary copolymerization of propylene oxide (PO), allyl glycidyl ether (AGE), and carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>). Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes octamercaptopropyl (POSS-SH) was employed as a crosslinking agent, contributing to the formation of organic–inorganic hybrid materials. This incorporation was facilitated through thiol-ene click reactions, enabling effective interactions between the POSS molecules and the double bonds in the side chains of the polycarbonate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed a homogeneous distribution of silicon (Si) and sulfur (S) in the polycarbonate matrix. The thiol-ene click reaction between POSS-SH and the polycarbonate led to a micro-crosslinked structure. This enhancement significantly increased the tensile strength of the polycarbonate to 42 MPa, a notable improvement over traditional poly (propylene carbonate) (PPC). Moreover, the cross-linked structure exhibited enhanced solvent resistance, expanding the potential applications of these polycarbonates in various plastic materials.
ISSN:2073-4360