Surface Segregation of a Star-Shaped Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane in a Polymer Matrix

A simple way to control only the surface properties of polymer materials, without changing the bulk properties, has long been desired. The segregation behavior when a component with a tiny amount fed into the matrix is thermodynamically enriched at the surface is one of the candidate methods. This capability was examined herein by focusing on a star-shaped polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (s-POSS), where the central POSS unit is tethered to eight isobutyl-substituted POSS cages as a surface modifier. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the surface of a film of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was almost completely covered with POSS units by adding just 5 wt % s-POSS to it. The segregated POSS dramatically altered the physical properties such as molecular motion and the mechanical and dielectric responses at the surface of the PMMA film. These findings make it clear that s-POSS is an excellent surface modifier for glassy polymers.