Synthesis and characterization of polymer composites by coupling microemulsion polymerization technology and the sol-gel science

Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable, microstructured, isotropic systems containing hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphiphilic components. The polymerization of an organic monomer in microemulsions to yield high surface area polymeric solids is a recent development in the field of microemulsions. Although these polymeric solids are porous and have controlled morphology characteristics, it was found that the thermal degradation temperatures of these porous solids is about 270{dollar}spcirc{dollar}C and the membranes made from these precursors possess poor tensile properties.; The objectives of the present work are three-fold. This work is aimed to invent a novel reactive microemulsion system that will facilitate obtaining porous solids with improved thermal stability and controlled morphology characteristics, to allow their use in advanced technological and industrial applications.; This research is also aimed at developing these precursor microemulsions in formulating solvent-free membranes/films with better tensile properties.; This study also attempts to investigate the potential of these composite precursors as protective coatings in arresting crack propagation in fiber modules being operated at elevated temperatures.; To achieve these goals, a novel five-component microemulsion system was invented. A novel methodology was developed by coupling the fundamental aspects of microemulsion polymerization to that of the conventional ceramic synthesis sol-gel process. The research involved studies on the synthesis, polymerization and characterization of the microemulsions, followed by feasibility of these polymerized polymer composites in formulating membranes and coating fibers. The results of this study indicate the possibility of controlling the morphology of the solids by varying the water composition and/or acid or base content in the precursors. Organometallic transformation studies indicate the synthesis of SiC by pyrolyzing these polycaboxysilane polymer composites at elevated temperatures. This dissertation work contributes to the recent advances made in investigating the potential significance of microemulsion systems formed by coupling microemulsion polymerization technology and the sol-gel process.