Effects of phenyltriethoxysilane concentration in starting solutions on thermal properties of polyphenylsilsesquioxane particles prepared by a two-step acid-base catalyzed sol-gel process

Abstract

Spherical polyphenylsilsesquioxane particles were prepared by a two-step acid-base catalyzed sol-gel process, in which various amounts of ethanol were used as a solvent to vary the concentration of phenyltriethoxysilane (PhSi(OEt)3) used as a starting alkoxide. The decrease in the PhSi(OEt)3 concentration led to the decrease in the average molecular weight and glass transition temperature of the polyphenylsilsesquioxanes. Thus, the change of the PhSi(OEt)3 concentration in the preparation of polyphenylsilsesquioxane particles by the two-step acid-base catalyzed sol-gel process is an effective means to control the glass transition temperature of the particles.