Synthesis and characterization of poly(methyl acrylate-co-itaconic anhydride)/TiO2 hybrid materials via sol-gel process

In the presence of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), the transparent an d yellowish poly(methyl acrylate-co-itaconic anhydride)/TiO2 [P(MA-co-Itn)/ TiO2] hybrid materials were prepared from the copolymer of methyl acrylate and itaconic anhydride [P(MA-co-Itn)] and tetrabutyl titanate (TBT) via a s ol-gel process. At first, the triethoxysilane groups were incorporated into the copolymer P(MA-co-Itn) as pendant side chains by the aminolytic reacti on between the itaconic anhydride units of the copolymer and the amino grou p of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), and then the covalent bonds betw een the organic and inorganic phases were introduced by the hydrolysis and polycondensation of the triethoxysilane groups on the copolymer with TBT. F TIR analysis proved the existence of the covalent bonds. The influences of APTES on glass transition and morphology of the hybrid materials was studie d by differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscope, and a tomic force microscope. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.