Synthesis of organic-inorganic polymer hybrids controlled by Diels-Alder reaction

The homogeneity of the polymer hybrid was controlled by Diels-Alder reaction. The polymer hybrids were prepared from styrene copolymer bearing pendent furan moieties (20%) and tetraethoxysilane using maleimide silane coupling agent by a sol-gel process. Styrene copolymer was synthesized by free radical copolymerization of styrene with 4-furfuryloxymethylstyrene. IR spectroscopic data of the hybrid materials support the occurrence of Diels-Alder reaction between the pendent furan moieties of the styrene copolymer and the maleimide silane coupling agent. The thermal and morphological properties of the hybrid materials were investigated by DSC, TGA, and SEM. The retro-Diels-Alder reaction was observed in the DSC thermogram. The polymer hybrids showed higher solvent resistance property at the boiling point of THF, but because of the retro-Diels-Alder reaction, the organic polymer in the polymer hybrid obtained was extracted with DMF at 130 degreesC.