Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate)-silica nano-composite

Transparent organic/pre-ceramic composite films of poly(methyl methacrylate) [PMMA] and perhydropolysilazane [PHPS] were synthesized by blending poly(methyl methacrylate-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [P(MMA-co-HEMA)] random copolymers and PHPS. In the blend films, P(MMA-graft-PHPS) graft copolymers were formed, PMMA and PHPS were microscopically phase-separated in the solid state. Morphology of the microphase separation was investigated by transmission electron microscopy by changing HEMA content of the random copolymers and blend ratio of PHPS to HEMA. To convert PHPS to silica glass, the blend films were calcinated at 100degreesC. The morphology of the microphase separation of the films was not changed by the calcinations; the calcinated films were transparent. When the molar content of HEMA of P(MMA-co-HEMA) and the molar content of PHPS to HEMA in feed were 14.5% and 150%, respectively, the morphology was well ordered lamellae of PMMA and silica.