Effects of novel polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane containing hydroxyl group and epoxy group on the dicyclopentadiene bisphenol dicyanate ester composites

Two types of novel Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes respectively containing hydroxyl group and epoxy group (P-POSS and E-POSS) were achieved and evaluated. The structure had been characterized by IR spectra and NMR spectra. Dicyclopentadiene bisphenol dicyanate ester (DCPDCE) composites were then prepared using P-POSS and E-POSS respectively. Their effect on the curing kinetics, dielectric, mechanical, flame-retardant and thermal properties and water absorption of the resulting composites were investigated. The results suggested that the addition of modified POSS could facilitate the curing reaction of DCPDCE. Besides, the DCPDCE composites containing modified POSS exhibited excellent flame-retardant property over pure DCPDCE resin. Adding only a little amount as small as 1.5 wt% P-POSS or 2.5 wt% E-POSS could change the UL-94V of DCPDCE resin from V-2 to V-0. The composite with P-POSS exhibited better flame-retardant and thermal properties than the composite with E-POSS. However, composite filled with E-POSS presented better dielectric property and lower water absorption.