An Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Polymer

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Poly(N-acetylethylenimine) (polyoxazoline) (POZO) with a terminal triethoxysilyl group was successfully synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline followed by termination with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Triethoxysilyl-terminated telechelic POZO was prepared by using a bifunctional initiator. These silane coupling POZOs were subjected to acid-catalyzed cohydrolysis polymerization with tetraethoxysilane by the so-called “sol-gel” method to produce a novel organic/inorganic hybrid polymer (block copolymer), which was a homogeneous transparent/glassy composite material. The obtained hybrid showed higher hydrophilic properties compared with silica gel without POZO segments. On the other hand, a hybrid polymer consisting of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and silica gel, which absorbed both water and organic solvents, showed amphiphilic properties. POZO segments were eliminated by pyrolysis of the present hybrid polymer to produce a silica with micropores.