Bis-phenylethynyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes: new high-temperature, processable thermosetting materials

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) are hybrid organic-inorganic nanostructures.
• Functionalized POSS compounds offer tunable properties for advanced materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel bis-phenylethynyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (bis-PE-POSS) compounds.
• To investigate the thermal curing behavior and properties of the resulting crosslinked materials.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of bis-PE-POSS via condensation of phenylethynyl-functional dichlorosilane with tetrasilanol phenyl POSS.
• Thermal curing of the synthesized compounds at 370 °C.
• Thermal decomposition analysis under nitrogen atmosphere.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of bis-PE-POSS compounds, yielding two geometric isomers.
• Formation of crosslinked materials upon thermal curing.
• High thermal stability observed, with decomposition onset near 600 °C under nitrogen.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized bis-PE-POSS compounds can be effectively crosslinked to form thermally stable materials.
• These materials demonstrate potential for high-temperature applications due to their inherent thermal resistance.