Ladder-like Poly(methacryloxypropyl) silsesquioxane-Al2O3-polybutadiene Flexible Nanocomposites with High Thermal Conductivity

Abstract

Ladder-like poly(methacryloxypropyl)-silsesquioxanes (LPMASQ) are photocurable Si-based gels characterized by a double-stranded structure that ensures superior thermal stability and mechanical properties than common organic polymers. In this work, these attractive features were exploited to produce, in combination with alumina nanoparticles (NPs), both unmodified and functionalized with methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (MPTMS), LPMASQ/Al2O3 composites displaying remarkable thermal conductivity. Additionally, we combined LPMASQ with polybutadiene (PB) to produce hybrid nanocomposites with the addition of functionalized Al2O3 NPs. The materials underwent thermal stability, structural, and morphological evaluations via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Both blending PB with LPMASQ and surface functionalization of nanoparticles proved to be effective strategies for incorporating a higher ceramic filler amount in the matrices, resulting in significant increases in thermal conductivity. Specifically, a 113.6% increase in comparison to the bare matrix was achieved at relatively low filler content (11.2 vol%) in the presence of 40 wt% LPMASQ. Results highlight the potential of ladder-like silsesquioxanes in the field of thermally conductive polymers and their applications in heat dissipation for flexible electronic devices.

Recent progress in ladder-like polysilsesquioxane: synthesis and applications

“…307,308 Dire's group made strides by introducing MPTMS-functionalized Al 2 O 3 into the LPSQ matrix. 117 This approach improved compatibility and allowed the particles to be well-dispersed without surfacing or aggregating. They demonstrated an enhancement in the thermal conductivity of the LPSQ matrix with an increasing content of Al 2 O 3 .…”

“…83 Additionally, numerous papers have consistently been published on the applications of LPSQ in fields such as photoluminescent material, 111 copper clad laminate (CCL), 112 antifoaming agent, 113 switchable adhesive, 114 LED encapsulant, 115 triboelectric nanogenerator, 116 and heat dissipation layer. 117…”