Miscibility and dynamics of the poly(vinylimidazole-co-methyl methacrylate)–silica hybrids studied by solid-state NMR

Poly(vinylimidazole-co-methyl methacrylate)–silica hybrids, bonded through hydrogen bond (PVM–SiO2) or chemical bond (PVM(5)–SiO2) between organic and inorganic units, were prepared and characterized. The characterization of PVM–SiO2 and PVM(5)–SiO2 hybrids were confirmed by IR, 13C and 29Si NMR spectra. The intermolecular interaction between copolymer chains was studied by the spin–lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame (TH1ρ), and that between copolymer and silica was evaluated by the time constant for energy change between 1H and 29Si spin system (TSiH). TH1ρ and TSiH values in PVM–SiO2 hybrids were consistent with those in PVM(5)–SiO2 hybrids, and those were independent of the silica content. Moreover, the TH1ρ values are in order of poly(methyl methacrylate)–silica hybrids (PMMA–SiO2) ≧ PVM–SiO2 ≒ PVM(5)–SiO2 > polyvinylimidazole–silica hybrids (PVI–SiO2), while those of TSiH are in reverse order PMMA–SiO2 ≦ PVM(5)–SiO2 < PVI–SiO2.