Polysiloxane based interpenetrating polymer networks: Synthesis and properties

Abstract

This article summarizes a large amount of work carried out in our laboratory on polysiloxane based Interpenetrating Polymer Networks (IPNs). First, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) network has been combined with a cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) network in order to improve its mechanical properties. Second, a PDMS network was combined with a fl uorinated polymer network. Thanks to a perfect control of the respective rates of formation of each network it has been possible to avoid polymer phase separation during the IPN synthesis. Physicochemical analyses of these materials led to classify them as "true" IPNs according to Sperling's defi nition. In addition, synergy of the mechanical properties, on the one hand, and of the surface properties, on the other hand, was displayed. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.