Poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) finds diverse applications due to its unique properties such as highthermal stability, low temperature flexibility, low surface tension, low chemical reactivity, high permeability to gases, highhydrophobicity and good biocompatibility. The glass transition temperature of PDMS as compared to other polymers isvery low (< -1200C) and the chain flexibility at room temperature is very high. In the present study polyPoly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) finds diverse applications due to its unique properties such as high thermal stability, low temperature flexibility, low surface tension, low chemical reactivity, high permeability to gases, high hydrophobicity and good biocompatibility. The glass transition temperature of PDMS as compared to other polymers is very low (< -1200C) and the chain flexibility at room temperature is very high. In the present study poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), a hydrophilic polymer is introduced into the hydroxyl terminated PDMS matrix with the help of PDMS-PEO block copolymer via solution blending route to make PDMS hydrophilic. To restrict gross phase separation, PDMS phase was crosslinked which eventually gave rise to semi IPN structure with PVP domains dispersed uniformly. SEM and TEM images showed that the PVP domains were spherical in nature having size of 15-20 �m. In order to improve mechanical properties dimethyldichloro silane treated fumed silica was added with the semi IPN at varying weight ratio. Rheological studies on uncured systems indicated the formation of network in case of fumed silica filled semi-IPNs above a certain percentage of fumed silica loading. The crosslinked semi IPNs also show no change in contact angle in presence of fumed silica indicating the retention of hydrophilic character even in presence of silica.

Effect of fumed silica incorporation in mechanical, rheological, properties of poly (dimethylsiloxane) – poly(vinylpyrrolidone) semi interpenetrating networks (PDMS-PVP semi IPN)

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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