SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE)-SILICA, -ALUMINA AND -SILICA-ALUMINA SOL-GEL NANOCOMPOSITES

The development of nanostructructured polymethilmethacrylate (PMMA) surfaces was studied by the incorporation of silica, alumina and silica-alumina, the former obtained by Sol-gel procedure. The materials were obtained in a polymer solution (acetone, isopropanol) and contains variable amounts of the inorganic component (10 and 20 % in the mass). The SEM studies show the modification of the polymer structure by the addition of the silicon oxide and aluminum oxide; though not all the samples show a high dispersion of the inorganic component. The FT-IR spectrum showed a reduction in the intensity of the carbonyl signal associated to the polymer, due to the incorporation of the filler and the presence of bands attributed to the inorganic components incorporated. Through TGA and DSC studies the modification of the thermal stability of the polymer was proved, depending on the inorganic component used and its composition.