Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) as Reinforcing Agent for Waterborne Polyurethane Coatings on Wood

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) was added as a reinforcing agent in waterborne polyurethane (WPU)-based coatings to improve their properties. The morphology, structure, thermal stability as well as mechanical properties of the resulting WPU and WPU/POSS hybrid films were investigated. The good compatibility of POSS in the WPU matrices was demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis (FTIR) suggested the successful bonding of POSS and WPU matrices. The thermal stability of WPU/POSS hybrids was improved than that of p...