Structural investigation of polydimethylsiloxane-vanadate hybrid materials

The structure of polydimethylsiloxane-vanadate (PDMSV) hybrid materials has been fully investigated. In particular, the use and interpretation of thermogravimetric analysis, IR, Raman and multinuclear NMR (H-1, C-13, O-17, Si-29, V-51) spectroscopies allowed an accurate description of their structure on a nanometric scale. The networks are composed of dimethylsiloxane segments with an average size of five to six units linked to monomeric vanadate units VO(OSiMe2..)(3). Both units have been identified in cross-linked areas and in end groups. The dissolution and the degradation behaviour of the PDMSV materials are also described.