Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-based fluoroimide-containing poly(urethane-imide) hybrid membranes: Synthesis, characterization and gas-transport properties

POSS and SSQ Materials in Dental Applications: Recent Advances and Future Outlooks

Recently, silsesquioxanes (SSQ) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) have gained much interest in the area of biomaterials, mainly due to their intrinsic properties such as biocompatibility, complete non-toxicity, the ability to self-assemble and to form a porous structure, facilitating cell proliferation, creating a superhydrophobic surface, osteoinductivity, and ability to bind hydroxyapatite. All the above has resulted in new developments in medicine. However, the application of POSS-containing materials in dentistry is still at initial stage and deserves a systematic description to ensure future development. Significant problems, such as reduction of polymerization shrinkage, water absorption, hydrolysis rate, poor adhesion and strength, unsatisfactory biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance of dental alloys, can be addressed by the design of multifunctional POSS-containing materials. Because of the presence of silsesquioxanes, it is possible to obtain smart materials that allow the stimulation of phosphates deposition and repairing of micro-cracks in dental fillings. Hybrid composites result in materials exhibiting shape memory, as well as antibacterial, self-cleaning, and self-healing properties. Moreover, introducing POSS into polymer matrix allows for materials for bone reconstruction, and wound healing. This review covers the recent developments in the field of POSS application in dental materials and gives the future perspectives within a promising field of biomedical material science and chemical engineering.

Synthesis, characterization, and properties of novel UV-resistant poly(urethane-imide)/POSS nanocomposite

In this study, a series of hybrid nanocomposites composed of poly(urethane-imide) (PUI), fluoroethylene vinyl ether copolymers, and octa-aminophenyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) were successfully prepared. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analysis were used to characterize the hybrid nanocomposites, which were found to have excellent thermostability, mechanical strength, and ultraviolet (UV) resistance. The SEM results showed that POSS nanoparticles, at low content level, could disperse homogeneously in the PUI matrix. The TGA results confirmed that the thermostability of the hybrid nanocomposites was significantly improved by the addition of POSS. Moreover, the UV-resistant property of the nanocomposites was evaluated based on the change in mechanical property and weight loss caused by the UV radiation. POSS (5 wt%) achieved the highest efficiency in enhancing the UV resistance of the nanocomposites. After UV radiation, the tensile modulus of the nanocomposite without POSS decreased to 187 MPa, and the mass loss was 7.26%. In contrast, the tensile modulus of the nanocomposite containing 5 wt% POSS increased from 412 MPa to 444 MPa, and the mass loss was only 3.76%.

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane/polyamide bio-nanocomposite membranes: structure-gas transport properties

Prepared cost-effective and environmentally-friendly POSS/PA by facile synthesis via solvent casting method. Conspectus study and morphology correlation with gas-transport properties. Effective H-bonds of POSS and PA facilitate separation properties.