A Study of Dynamic Mechanical Thermo-Analysis of a Silicone-Based Hybrid Nanocomposite Prepared via the Sol-Gel Route for Nonlinear Optics Applications

In this work, a Nonlinear Optical Dye containing silica hybrid network was prepared via the sol-gel method, by copolymerization 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and 2-hydroxylethylmethacrylate (HEMA). Disperse Red 1 was introduced as the dye. The samples were characterized by DMTA (Dynamic Mechanical Thermo-Analysis) in order to have detailed information on the synthesized silicone-based nanocomposites. The investigations confirmed the development of reactions and revealed the appropriate mechanical and thermal properties. The dye-containing samples represented a better behavior compared with the blank one. The mechanical integrity was still maintained in the range of 250-300°C. In addition, the synthesized hybrid material showed an almost broad region for its glass transition temperature (with an averaged midpoint of ~130°C), which is an advantage for having smaller stiffness changes in hybrid nanocomposites.