Novel hybrid systems based on poly(propylene-g-maleic anhydride) and Ti-POSS by direct reactive blending

Novel hybrid systems based on maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (PPgMA) and home-made Ti-containing amino polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (Ti-POSS-NH2) have been prepared by one-step reactive blending, and their properties have been compared with those of systems based on a non-reactive POSS (POSS). The occurrence of a reaction between PPgMA and the reactive POSS molecules has been assessed by Fourier Transform Infrared Resonance (FTIR) measurements, whereas dispersion of POSS into the polymer was evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), showing a nanometric dispersion only for the reactive POSS. Thermo-oxidative behaviour was studied by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), showing a delayed volatilization of the PPgMA/Ti-POSS-NH2 with respect to both PPgMA/POSS and pristine PPgMA, which is attributed to the chemical activity of Ti in Ti-POSS-NH2. To highlight the mechanism of the hybrid system decomposition, samples which underwent a thermal treatment at 250 °C, i.e. the onset temperature for polymer matrix decomposition in thermo-oxidative conditions, have been studied by FTIR and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) measurements.