Preparation of higher-ordered inorganic–organic nanocomposite composed of rodlike cationic polysiloxane and polyacrylate

Abstract

The preparation of inorganic–organic polymer nanocomposites is an extensively investigated area in materials chemistry. For developing new functions and applications, the preparation of new types of nanocomposite is considered important. In the present study, we prepared a higher-ordered nanocomposite composed of a rodlike polysiloxane with ammonium groups and polyacrylate by an ion-exchange reaction. Based on IR spectroscopy, we confirmed that the nanocomposite consisted of both inorganic and organic polymers. On the basis of the CHN elemental analysis, the ratio of the functional groups of the two polymers, i.e., NH₃⁺ and COO⁻, was calculated to be ca. 1 : 1. The XRD profile of the nanocomposite showed three peaks with the d-value ratio of 1 : 1/√3 : 1/2, indicating that the nanocomposite has a hexagonal phase. The TEM image of the nanocomposite showed a striped pattern, indicating an ordered arrangement. The present material is a new type of inorganic–organic nanocomposite with a higher-ordered structure; namely, an inorganic core part surrounded by organic polymers forming a hexagonal phase.