Advanced nano-hybrids for thermo-oxidative-resistant nanocomposites

In the present work, trisilanol phenyl polyhedral olygomeric silsesquiosane (TSPh-POSS) has been physically immobilized onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) bearing covalently linked Br-terminated long-alkyl chain (Br-alkyl-f-CNTs), and the so obtained hybrid nanoparticles (Br-alkyl-f-CNTs/TSPh-POSS) have been used to prepare ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)-based nanocomposites with enhanced thermo-oxidative resistance. The effective immobilization of the TSPh-POSS molecules has been confirmed by spectroscopic and thermo-gravimetric analyses. Besides, the influence of the hybrid nanoparticles on the rheological and mechanical behaviour and morphology of the nanocomposites have bee…