Polydimethylsiloxanes Cross-Linked by 4,4′-(1,3-Phenylenedioxy)-Dianiline within in situ Generated Silica Network

Polydimethylsiloxanes side-functionalized in different degrees with chloromethyl groups were reacted with 4,4'-(1,3-phenylenedioxy)-dianiline when the secondary amino groups formation and cross-linking occur. The reactions were carried out in a silica sol-gel system and thus two networks are simultaneously formed: siloxane-organic network and the silica one. Different techniques were used to characterize the formed systems: FTIR to verify the structure, DMA for analysis of the thermomechanical behavior, SEM and AFM for the evaluation of the morphology and surface topography. The elemental distribution within the samples was determined by EDX. The water vapours sorption capacity was measured in the dynamic regime.