New insights on the thermal degradation pathways of neat poly(furfuryl alcohol) and poly(furfuryl alcohol)/SiO2 hybrid materials

Poly(furfuryl alcohol)/SiO2 hybrid material was prepared and properties characterized in comparison with those of neat poly(furfuryl alcohol) (PFA) thermoset. A morphological study conducted by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on the hybrid material reveals well-dispersed silica nanoclusters. Combination of micro- and submicro-structural organizations between the organic and inorganic networks generates new thermo-mechanical performances. A study of relaxation process by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) gives some evidence of the nanoconfinement effect on the hybrid network. These restrictions on the molecular mobility lead to an increase of thermal stability of the PFA/SiO2 material compared to the unfilled matrix. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGAs) coupled with GC-MS have permitted us to highlight a multi-step degradation pathway and chain scission reactions are proposed based on identified VOCs.