Solid-State17O NMR Characterization of PDMS−MxOy(M = Ge(IV), Ti(IV), Zr(IV), Nb(V), and Ta(V)) Organic−Inorganic Nanocomposites

PDMS−M x O y (where M = Ge(IV), Ti(IV), Zr(IV), Nb(V), and Ta(V)) hybrid materials have been studied from the solution to the solid state through 17 O NMR spectroscopy. Si−O−Si, Si−O−M, and M−O−M oxo bridges could be identified, giving a better picture of the structure of these hybrid materials based on amorphous metal−oxo nanodomains embedded within the siloxane network. The quantitative accuracy of the spectra is investigated and the relative nanoscale phase separation depending on the nature of the metal is discussed.