Solid-state 17O NMR characterization of PDMS-MxOy (M = Ge(IV), Ti(IV), Zr(IV), Nb(V), and Ta(V)) organic- inorganic nanocomposites

PDMS-MxOy (where M = Ge(IV), WIV), Zr(IV), Nb(V), and Ta(V)) hybrid materials have been studied from the solution to the solid state through O-17 NMR spectroscopy. Si-O-Si, Si-O-M, and M-O-M oxo bridges could be identified, giving a better picture of the structure of these hybrid materials based on amorphous metal-oxo nanodomains embedded within the siloxane network. The quantitative accuracy of the spectra is investigated and the relative nanoscale phase separation depending on the nature of the metal is discussed.