Preparation of highly emissive, thermally stable, UV-cured polysilsesquioxane/ZnO nanoparticle composites

Abstract

A high molecular weight polysilsesquioxane (LPMSQ)/ZnO nanocomposite was prepared by blending a methacryl-substituted polysilsesquioxane and PMMA-coated ZnO nanoparticle (NP) followed by UV-curing process. These LPMSQ/ZnO nano-composites gave high thermal and mechanical stabilities originated from the rigid ladder structured siloxane backbone of LPMSQ. The polysilsesquioxane and surface-modified ZnO nanoparticles showed excellent compatibility between MMA groups in LPMSQ- and PMMA-capped ZnO nanoparticles to give well-dispersed LPMSQ/ZnO nanocomposites. Mechanically pliant and flexible free standing films were obtained, and the photo and optical properties of these hybrid nanocomposites were examined. The high photoluminescent properties were maintained even after severe thermal treatments exceeding 400 degrees C. (C) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.