Studies on the Synthesis and Characterization of Zirconium Containing Organic-Inorganic Hybrid from High Molecular Weight Styrene/Maleic Anhydride Alternating Copolymers

Abstract

Styrene/maleic anhydride alternating copolymer (SMA) synthesized by radical copolymerization of styrene with maleic anhydride was subjected to a reaction with zirconium chelate (EZE) for the formation of zirconium-containing organic-inorganic hybrid. Coating films of the hybrid were obtained by dip coating its solution on polymer, metal, ceramic, and glass substrates. The pencil hardness of the coating films increased with increasing molecular weight of SMA, and showed a highest value when the amount ratio of EZE to maleic anhydride group in SMA was unity. Zirconia thin films were prepared by pyrolysis of the coating films at 1000°C.