Developments in nanoscience: polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-polymers

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Abstract

This review is intended to cover the more recent advances in both structure–property relationships of polymers incorporating polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane(s) (POSS) nanostructured chemicals as well as space-survivability testing of POSS-polymers. The strategy employed for using POSS as building-blocks is discussed in addition to current models and predictions pertaining to the ideal crystallite/aggregate size of the nanocomposite within the polymer matrix to provide maximum mechanical improvements. The oxidation and rapid formation of SiO2 during atomic oxygen testing leads to a passivating layer, and conclusive proof of these phenomena is presented. Also, a brief history of POSS is outlined to help readers understand how they relate to the recent boom in nanotechnology and their position in nanomaterials R&D.

Section snippets

Background and introduction

The recent nanotechnology surge, both in funding and interest, has provided for a potential user-wide understanding of the meaning behind this buzzword. The general public hears of nanotechnology in TV commercials such as BASF's advertisement explaining how nanotechnology benefits them or in Hewlett Packard's claim during Sunday NFL games of the almost limitless possibilities that nanotechnology offers [1]. In the scientific community there have been heated exchanges between rational scientists

A quick history of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane(s) and POSS-polymers

An excellent review by Pittman in 2001 covers a majority of the technical publications pertaining to POSS-polymers, which incidentally only dates back to 1991 [4]. Articles on the synthesis, structure and properties of silsesquioxane resins have been around since well before the 1940s, however two landmark publications pertaining to well-defined POSS structures were the 1946 Scott paper on completely condensed POSS cages, and the incompletely condensed POSS `triol' characterization by Scott [5]

Structure–property relationships of POSS-polymers

As previously mentioned, the number of research groups working on POSS-polymers has increased sharply over the last few years. To include all their work into a coherent story not only goes beyond the intent of this review, but also would require such an effort as to demand an entire published volume. Rather, this section of the review will focus on six research groups whose common theme is an attempt to understand the structure–property relationships of a variety of thermoplastics containing

Space-survivable, self-healing POSS-polymers

The application of polymeric materials on orbiting bodies in low Earth orbit (LEO) is prevalent in spite of their inability to withstand the severe environment. Atomic oxygen (AO) and vacuum ultraviolet radiation rapidly degrade even the best organic-based polymers such as Kapton and Teflon. Creative solutions include the use of coatings and multi-layered materials. However, in both cases the production process of these materials and impingement by microdebris in space cause cracks and

Conclusions and future direction

The study of POSS-polymers over the last 13 years has yielded conclusive proof that that incorporation of the POSS into a polymer matrix can result in significant improvements in a variety of physical and mechanical properties due to the reinforcement at the molecular level and the inorganic framework's ceramic-like properties. Recent work has shown that the physical cross-links formed by the POSS can significantly retard thermal motion, while at the same time the individual POSS cages can act

Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by the AFOSR, Air Force Research Laboratory, and NSF. We would also like to thank all of our colleagues and collaborators including S. Anderson, M. Bowers, M. Boyce, R. Cohen, B. Coughlin, A. Esker, G. Hoflund, B. Hsiao, J. Koo, E. Kopesky, R. Laine, A. Lee, J. Lichtenhan, P. Mather, G. McKinley, T. Minton, S. Nutt, G. Rutledge, J. Schwab, E. Thomas.

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