In this work, Eu(Pht)₃Phen/SBA-15 hybrids were prepared by solution mixing and their morphologies and structures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption–desorption and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). The results showed that Eu(Pht)₃Phen was successfully incorporated into the channels and assembled onto the surface of SBA-15 and the long range ordered structure of SBA-15 was preserved. The silicone rubber composites with Eu(Pht)₃Phen/SBA-15 hybrids were obtained by mechanical blending, and their morphologies and photoluminescence properties were studied. The results showed that the photoluminescence intensities of the composites with the hybrids increased as the content of the hybrids increased. The composite with the hybrids showed higher photoluminescence intensity and longer lifetime compared to the silicone rubber compounded with Eu(Pht)₃Phen (Eu(Pht)₃Phen/silicone rubber composite), Eu(Pht)₃Phen and SBA-15 ([Eu(Pht)₃Phen+SBA-15]/silicone rubber composite). Judd-Ofelt theory was used to investigate the local environment of Eu³⁺ ions in the silicone rubber composites. The photoluminescence quantum efficiency of the silicone rubber composite with Eu(Pht)₃Phen/SBA-15 hybrids was calculated to be 31.0%, higher than that of Eu(Pht)₃Phen/silicone rubber composite (26.4%) and [Eu(Pht)₃Phen+SBA-15]/silicone rubber composite (25.4%). The enhancement in photoluminescence intensity and increase in lifetime and photoluminescence quantum efficiency could be attributed to the rigid structure of SBA-15 which reduced the nonradiative transition rate and the improvement of the dispersion of the hybrids in the composites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013

A new organic–inorganic hybrid material was prepared through reactive blending of hydrogenated carboxylated nitrile rubber (HXNBR) with epoxycyclohexyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (epoxycyclohexyl POSS). The structure of the composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and solid-state ¹³C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectra (solid-state ¹³C-NMR). The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at different heating rates was conducted to investigate the curing kinetics. A single overall curing process by an nth-order function (1 − α)ⁿ was considered, and multiple-heating-rate models (Kissinger, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, and Crane methods) and the single-heating-rate model were employed. The apparent activation energy (E_a) obtained showed dependence on the POSS content and the heating rate (β). The overall reaction order n was practically constant and close to 1. The isoconversion Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method was also performed and fit well in the study. With the single-heating-rate model, the average E_a for the compound with a certain POSS content, 66.90–104.13 kJ/mol was greater than that obtained with Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods. Furthermore, the calculated reaction rate (dα/dt) versus temperature curves fit with the experimental data. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Based on amine-terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer chemically crosslinked by epoxycyclohexyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), a novel gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) were prepared by introducing one ionic liquid and LiClO₄ into the polymer framework. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the interaction between the ionic liquid and LiClO₄, and this interaction contributes to dissolving LiClO₄ salt and increasing the ionic conductivity of GPE. Less content of POSS leads to higher ionic conductivities but lower gel content and modulus. The maximum ionic conductivity of 2.0 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ (30°C) was achieved and an Arrhenius-type relationship between ionic conductivities and temperatures could be detected over the investigated temperature range. The generated GPE exhibited good electrochemical stability to 4 V from cyclic voltammogram tests, which made this kind of GPE a promising candidate for rechargeable lithium batteries. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Novel organic–inorganic composites were prepared by curing hydrogenated carboxylated nitrile rubber (HXNBR) with epoxycyclohexyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) through chemical bonding of carboxyl groups of HXNBR and epoxy groups of POSS. The process of the curing reaction was investigated using in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The reaction order, the activation energy and the frequency factor were obtained through a kinetic analysis using differential scanning calorimetry. Through dynamic mechanical analysis, the glass transition temperature, crosslink density and degree of heterogeneity of the composites were estimated, and they showed an increasing tendency with increasing POSS content. The results of dielectric property measurements showed that the dielectric constant of the composites decreased with increasing POSS content in the studied frequency range. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry

Solid polymer electrolytes based on acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and LiClO₄ were prepared and their conductivity was evaluated. The effect of nitrile group CN/LiClO₄ mole ratio on the conductivity was investigated. The maximum conductivity of 1.21 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ (20°C) was achieved in the NBR/LiClO₄ composite at the CN/LiClO₄ mole ratio of 1/2.5, which was in accordance with the strongest coordination between CN and Li⁺ indicated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry measurement. The conductivity was further increased by two to three times when 30 phr epoxy resin was introduced into NBR, and the conductivity could retain around the maximum value with the CN/LiClO₄ mole ratio ranged from 1/2.5 to 1/3.5, while the conductivity of NBR/LiClO₄ composite existed a decrease in the same range. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy characterization showed that epoxy resin significantly improved the dispersion of LiClO₄, leading to better surface smoothness of NBR/epoxy resin/LiClO₄ composite film and contributing to the increase of ionic conductivity. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010

Bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide (TESPT) was used to improve the interfacial adhesion between cotton fiber and natural rubber (NR). The crosslink density, interfacial adhesion, mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and morphology of NR/cotton fiber composites were investigated. The composites with TESPT had higher crosslink density, better mechanical properties, higher initial modulus, and higher yield strength than the composites without TESPT because of the difference in interfacial adhesion. The results of an interfacial adhesion evaluation, the high storage modulus and low damping values of the composites with TESPT, and the coarse surfaces of the pullout fibers implied the enhancement of interfacial adhesion. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009