Synthesis and characterization of amorphous octakis-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes for polymer nanocomposites

Surface-Modified Approach to Fabricate Nafion Membranes Covalently Bonded with Polyhedral Oligosilsesquioxane for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries

An aminopropyl isobutyl polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (NH₂-POSS) surface-modified Nafion membrane has been designed by chemical grafting for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). NH₂-POSS is a cage-like macromer consisting of an inorganic Si₈O₁₂ core surrounded by seven inert isobutyl groups and one active aminopropyl group. The sulfonic acid groups on the surface of Nafion can be activated by 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole for further modification with NH₂-POSS. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) prove that NH₂-POSS has been successfully grafted on the surface of a Nafion 115 membrane. Although the proton conductivity decreases slightly, the organic-inorganic hybrid membranes display enhanced ion selectivity and excellent dimensional stability with lower water uptake and swelling ratio than Nafion 115. Moreover, two-dimensional-grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (2D-GIXRD) reveals that the introduction of NH₂-POSS forms a POSS layer on the surface of the membrane and narrows the space of Nafion clusters, which helps to block VO²⁺ permeation. A VRFB with the surface-modified Nafion membrane displays an outstanding performance with an average Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 98.7% and energy efficiency (EE) of 84.5% at a current density of 80 mA cm^-2, superior to those of the Nafion 115 membrane (CE = 95.7%, EE = 81.7%). Furthermore, the cell holds a high capacity retention of 49.2% after 1000 charge-discharge cycles, in contrast to that of 41.9% for the cell with Nafion 115 after only 200 cycles. The results suggest that the surface-modified hybrid membrane is a promising strategy to overcome the vanadium ion crossover in VRFBs.

Upcycling green carbon black as a reinforcing agent for styrene–butadiene rubber materials

This study reports the effects of recovered carbon black (produced in a clean and sustainable way) as a reinforcing agent on the physicochemical properties of a styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) matrix. SBR-based composite materials are prepared with recovered green carbon black (GCB), and these are thoroughly compared to the composite materials containing conventional virgin carbon black (VCB) (produced by the incomplete combustion of petroleum products). The GCB–SBR composite materials generally show detectably inferior properties compared to the VCB–SBR composite under the same preparation conditions due to the limited functionality of the GCB filler. However, the introduction of a small amount of crosslinker, acrylate-functionalized POSS (polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane), into the GCB–SBR composite materials effectively enhances the overall physical properties, including the tensile strength, fracture elongation, and thermal stability. The degree of the crosslinking efficiency, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the composite materials are optimized and thoroughly examined to demonstrate the possibility of replacing typical VCB with GCB, which can allow for upcycling the inexpensive and ecofriendly carbon black materials as effective reinforcing fillers.

Green carbon black (GCB) could be upcyclable as an eco-friendly filler for styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)-based composite materials to replace conventional virgin carbon black (VCB) upon properly utilizing POSS.

Symmetry driven: the synthesis of co-substituent octasilsesquioxanes

Cubic octasilsesquioxanes with mixed substituents were directly synthesized through a sol–gel process using the mixture of i-butyl(triethoxysilane) and other alkoxysilanes.

Silsesquioxane Derivatives as Functional Additives for Preparation of Polyethylene-Based Composites: A Case of Trisilanol Melt-Condensation

In this work, polyethylene (PE) composites were prepared with a series of completely condensed silsesquioxanes (SSQ), as well as with open-cage hepta(isobutyl)trisilanol silsesquioxane. The effect of the additives on the thermal, mechanical, rheological, and crystalline properties of the composites obtained was determined. The dispersion of trisilanol derivative within polymer matrix was slightly better than that of the other isobutyl compounds, suggesting condensation of the additive to less polar products of different structure, which was confirmed by thermogravimetry (TG) and matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry analysis. The additives improved the thermal stability of polyethylene and formed composites of higher rigidity than the neat polyolefin. The results were compared to the literature data, with aminopropylhepta(isobutyl)silsesquioxane and vinylhepta(isobutyl)silsesquioxane being used partially as references, as PE composites thereof were reported earlier, but lacked some analytical results and required further investigation. It was proven that the practical upper loading limit for such silsesquioxane compounds as processing and functional additives for polyethylene should be fixed at around 1%.

Synthesis of Bifunctional Silsesquioxanes and Spherosilicates with Organogermyl Functionalities

In this paper we present the synthesis of mixed bifunctional compounds of T₈ H₈ silsesquioxane and spherosilicate (HSiMe₂ O)₈ Si₈ O₁₂ derivatives via platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation of alkenylgermanes and olefins. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first literature example of bifunctional compounds with organogermyl functionalities. Eleven mixed systems with a variety of substituents (Si-H, alkyl, germyl, epoxy, and hydroxy) were prepared and fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, our research includes a real-time FT-IR study of the synthesis of these bifunctional compounds of the general formula (R)_8-m (GeR'₃ (CH₂ )_n+2 R)_m Si₈ O₁₂ . and (R''(CH₂ )₂ R)_8-m (GeR'₃ (CH₂ )₂ R)_m Si₈ O₁₂ where m∼4.

Introduction of organogermyl functionalities to cage silsesquioxanes

In this work, we present the first example of highly efficient platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation of vinyl- and allylgermanes with different types of silsesquioxanes and spherosilicates. This protocol allows the straightforward introduction of organogermyl functionalities with alkyl chains linked to the silsesquioxane core with good yields and excellent selectivity. These derivatives may be applied as precursors for the development of advanced hybrid materials in the future. In addition, a comparison made between vinylsilanes and vinylgermanes showed a higher reactivity of germanium compounds in the hydrosilylation reaction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first literature example of the functionalization of silsesquioxanes and spherosilicates with these types of germanium derivatives. The reaction parameters and kinetics were determined by in situ FT-IR. In addition, our research is supported by extensive data obtained from NMR measurements.

Hyperbranched Polysiloxanes Based on Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Cages with Ultra-High Molecular Weight and Structural Tuneability

Hyperbranched siloxane-based polymers with ultra-high molecular weight were synthesized by the Piers–Rubinsztajn reaction between octakis(dimethylsiloxy) octasilsesquioxane with different dialkoxysilanes, using tris(pentafluorophenyl) borane as the catalyst. The origin of the high molecular weight is explained by the high reactivity of the catalyst and strain energy of isolated small molecule in which all eight silane groups close into rings on the sides of a single cubic cage. The structural tuneability was further demonstrated by use of methyl(3-chloropropyl)diethoxysilane, which generates a polymer with similar ultra-high molecular weight. Introduction of phosphonate groups through the chloropropyl sites later leads to functionalized polymers which can encapsulate various transition metal nanoparticles.

Polybenzoxazine/Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) Nanocomposites

The organic/inorganic hybrid materials from polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS, inorganic nanoparticles) and polybenzoxazine (PBZ) have received much interesting recently due to their excellent thermal and mechanical properties, flame retardance, low dielectric constant, well-defined inorganic framework at nanosized scale level, and higher performance relative to those of non-hybrid PBZs. This review describes the synthesis, dielectric constants, and thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of covalently bonded mono- and multifunctionalized benzoxazine POSS hybrids, other functionalized benzoxazine POSS derivatives, and non-covalently (hydrogen) bonded benzoxazine POSS composites.

Hydrogen bonding strength of diblock copolymers affects the self-assembled structures with octa-functionalized phenol POSS nanoparticles

In this study, the influence of the functional groups by the diblock copolymers of poly(styrene-b-4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP), poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP), and poly(styrene-b-methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) on their blends with octa-functionalized phenol polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OP-POSS) nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated. The relative hydrogen bonding strengths in these blends follow the order PS-b-P4VP/OP-POSS > PS-b-P2VP/OP-POSS > PS-b-PMMA/OP-POSS based on the Kwei equation from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analyses. Small-angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopic analyses show that the morphologies of the self-assembly structures are strongly dependent on the hydrogen bonding strength at relatively higher OP-POSS content. The PS-b-P4VP/OP-POSS hybrid complex system with the strongest hydrogen bonds shows the order-order transition from lamellae to cylinders and finally to body-centered cubic spheres upon increasing OP-POSS content. However, PS-b-P2VP/OP-POSS and PS-b-PMMA/OP-POSS hybrid complex systems, having relatively weaker hydrogen bonds, transformed from lamellae to cylinder structures at lower OP-POSS content (<50 wt%), but formed disordered structures at relatively high OP-POSS contents (>50 wt%).

Synthesis and fidelity study of ultraviolet-curable hydrogen silsesquioxane analogue as an elastomeric stamp

UV curable silsesquioxane and PDMS as the spacer was synthesised and its fidelity was studied. Synergistic effect of hard segment of silsesquioxane and soft segment of PDMS contributes to the flexibility and surface roughness of HSQ analogue.

Unexpected fluorescence from maleimide-containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes: nanoparticle and sequence distribution analyses of polystyrene-based alternating copolymers

Unusual fluorescent polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-containing polymers lacking any common fluorescent units because of the crystallinity and clustering of locked CO groups of POSS units.

Synthesis of silanol-rich long-life polysilsesquioxane liquids by cosolvent-free hydrolytic polycondensation of organotrimethoxysilanes followed by aging

Silanol-rich polysilsesquioxane liquids with long-term viscosity stability are formed in a facile manner from organotrimethoxysilane–water binary systems via aging.

Impact of End-Tethered Polyhedral Nanoparticles on the Mobility of Poly(dimethylsiloxane)

A series of dumbbell-shaped nanocomposite materials of poly(dimethylsiloxanes) (PDMSs) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSSs) were synthesized through hydrosilylation reactions of allyl- and vinyl-POSS and hydride-terminated PDMS. The chemical structures of the dumbbell-shaped materials, so-called POSS-PDMS-POSS triblocks, were characterized by (1)H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. The molecular weights of the triblock polymers were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Their size was analyzed by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and pulsed-field gradient stimulated echo (PFG STE) NMR experiments. The impact of POSS on the molecular mobility of the PDMS middle chain was observed by using (1)H spin-spin (T2) relaxation NMR. In contrast to the PDMS melts, the triblocks showed an increase in mobility with increasing molecular weight over the range studied due to the reduced relative concentration of constraints imposed by the end-tethered nanoparticles. The triblock systems were used to compare the impact of tethered nanoparticles on the mobility of the linear component compared to the mobility of the polymer in conventional blended nanocomposites. The tethered nanoparticles were found to provide more reinforcement than physically dispersed particles especially at high molecular weights (low particle concentration). The physical blends showed an apparent percolation threshold behavior.

Fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes

A series of fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) oils were readily prepared via hydrosilylation reaction.

Crystallization and morphology development in polyethylene–octakis(n-octadecyldimethylsiloxy)octasilsesquioxane nanocomposite blends

A detailed study of the crystallization kinetics and morphology development of a novel set of polyethylene–Q₈POSS blends.

Wavelength control of random polymer fiber laser based on adaptive disorder

We demonstrate the realization of two different kinds of random polymer optical fiber lasers to control the random lasing wavelength by changing the disorder of polymer optical fibers (POFs). One is a long-range disorder POF based on copolymer refractive-index inhomogeneity, and the other is a short-range disorder POF based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes scattering. By end pumped both disorder POFs, the coherent random lasing for both is observed. Meanwhile, the random lasing wavelength of the short-range disorder POF because of a small scattering mean-free path has been found to be blue shifted with respect to the long-range disorder POF, which will give a way to control the random lasing wavelength.

Functional groups on POSS nanoparticles influence the self-assembled structures of diblock copolymer composites

The influence of the functional groups presented by polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles (NPs) on the self-assembled structures formed by diblock copolymer composites were detail discussed.

Disordered microstructure polymer optical fiber for stabilized coherent random fiber laser

We have demonstrated the realization of a random polymer fiber laser (RPFL) based on laser dye Pyrromethene 597-doped one-dimensional disordered polymer optical fiber (POF). The stabilized coherent laser action for the disordered POF has been obtained by the weak optical multiple scattering of the polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes nanoparticles in the core of the POF in situ formed during polymerization, which was enhanced by the waveguide confinement effect. Meanwhile, the threshold of our RPFL system is almost one order of magnitude lower than that of the liquid core random fiber laser reported previously, which promotes the development of random lasers.

Synthesis and characterization of three kinds of bifunctionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes with the same cage structure

A facile, single-step synthetic pathway leading to bifunctionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) with two different reactive functional groups attached to the same cage structure, namely Vi-Cl POSS, is reported in this paper. The Vi-Cl POSS were synthesized through the cohydrolysis and cocondensation of (3-chloropropyl)trimethoxysilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane and propyltrimethoxysilane in ethanol media under acidic conditions, the number of vinyls and chloropropyls which attached to cage structure can be controlled by the monomers feed ratio of three kinds of trialk-oxysilanes. In this method, three different bifunctional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes were synthesized, including [Si8O12 (CH=CH2)(C3H6Cl)2(C3H7)5] (POSS1), [Si8O12(CH=CH2)2(C3H6Cl)(C3H7)5] (POSS2) and [Si8O12(CH=CH2)(C3H6Cl)(C3H7)6] (POSS3). Due to the reactive functional groups attached to the cage, these specific bifunctional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes can be copolymerized with other organic monomers by free radical polymerization, hydrosilylation reactions and atom transfer radical polymerization to obtain organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposites, respectively. The outstanding advantage of cohydrolysis–cocondensation routes is that the substitution pattern of different substituents around the POSS cage can be precisely controlled.

Design and Synthesis of Functional Silsesquioxane-Based Hybrids by Hydrolytic Condensation of Bulky Triethoxysilanes

This paper presents a short overview of recent advances in the design and synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrids using silsesquioxane-based nanoparticles having nanometer size, relatively narrow size distribution, high functionalities, and various characteristic features, mainly focusing on our recent researches related to the subject. A highlight of this paper is the water-soluble silsesquioxane-based nanoparticles, including hydroxyl-functionalized and cationic silsesquioxanes, which were synthesized via the one-step condensation of the bulky triethoxysilane precursors. The design and synthesis of R-SiO1.5/SiO2and R-SiO1.5/TiO2hybrids by hydrolytic cocondensation of a triethoxysilane precursor and metal alkoxides are briefly introduced. This paper also deals with recent results in stimuli-responsive hybrids based on the water-soluble silsesquioxane nanoparticles and fluorinated and amphiphilic silsesquioxane hybrids.