Super-Heat Resistant Polymer Nanocomposites Based on Heterocyclic Networks: Structure and Properties

Abstract

The heterocyclic polymer network nanocomposites obtained from bisphtalonitrile and various (from 0.03 to 5 wt %) modified silicate montmorillonite (MMT) nanolayers are studied. The nanostructure together with thermal, relaxation, and elastic properties of the composites are characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). DMA and TGA measurements were performed in air and nitrogen mediums in the temperature range from 20 to 600–900°C. There was a various degree of exfoliation of MMT in the matrix to form single nanolayers, as well as thin and “thick” packs of MMT nanolayers, depending on its amount. We showed that there are strong constraining dynamics effects of the matrix by nanoparticles and sharp dynamic heterogeneity in the glass transition. We found that there are possibilities of complete suppression of the latter and of preservation of elastic characteristics of the composites unchanged at the temperatures from 20 to 600°C. The nanocomposites exhibit uniquely high thermal properties. A glass transition temperature of 570°C and satisfactory thermal stability are achieved with preservation of integrity of the material up to ~500°C in air and up to ∼900°C in nitrogen.