Identification of relationship between the synthesis/process parameters and properties of a sol-gel-derived polymer nanocomposite system

A Ti-containing silicate-based epoxy-functional polymer nanocomposite system was synthesized by a sol-gel route with or without the introduction of a reflux process, which was followed by UV-induced epoxy polymerization. Influences of synthesis and process parameters, including Ti content, sol ageing, reflux process, and UV-irradiation on various properties of the system were detailed. It was demonstrated that the introduction of a reflux process during the sol-gel synthesis could significantly modify the chemical and physical properties of the resultant material system along with other parameters such as Ti content. Overall results showed that the synthesis and process parameters examined could be employed to modify the microstructure, and to tune the final properties of this polymer nanocomposite system. The technique described herein, therefore, could be used to develop a new process regime to obtain materials of this type with desired properties, which might potentially be employed in certain applications such as dental restoration. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013