Well-defined nanosized building blocks for organic/inorganic nanocomposites
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of Michigan
InventorsRichard M. Laine, Ryo Tamaki, Jiwon Choi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Functionalized silsesquioxanes containing from 6 to 24 silicon atoms and minimally about 67 mol percent RSiO3/2 moieties where R is a phenyl group bearing a chemically reactive functional group are highly suitable for use as nanoparticles in producing highly ordered nanocomposites of many types, containing a high proportion of interphase. The nanocomposites have unusual physicochemical properties due to the use of uniform, highly functionalized nanoparticles.
Claims16
A functionalized silsesquioxane nanoparticle having a maximum dimension of less than 100 nm, comprising a silsesquioxane macromonomer containing minimally 6 and preferably up to 24 silicon atoms, and comprised of in excess of 67 mol percent RSiO3/2 moieties, wherein R is a phenyl group or a phenyl group bearing one or more reactive functional groups, or an oligomer or polymer of said macromonomer linked through Si—O—Si bonds, wherein at least one of said phenyl groups bears a reactive functional group.
A nanocomposite material containing the functionalized silsesquioxane macromonomer of claim 1 or a functionalized silsesquioxane macromonomer prepared by the method of any of claims 2 to 9, or Si—O—Si linked oligomers or polymers thereof.
The nanocomposite material of claim 7 comprising a multilayer structure, said multilayer structure comprising layers of the functionalized silsesquioxane of claim 1 or of functionalized silsesquioxanes prepared by the process of any of claims 2 to 9, or Si—O—Si linked oligomers or polymers thereof.
In a process for the preparation of a functionalized silsesquioxane wherein a silica source is converted to polyanionic form employing a quaternary ammonium hydroxide, followed by reaction with a hydridoalkylchlorosilane to form a silsesquioxane bearing hydridosilyl-functional reactive groups, and optionally employing said silsesquioxane bearing hydridosilyl-functional reactive groups to hydrosilylate an unsaturated organic compound, the improvement comprising selecting as the silica source a silica source obtained from the combustion or calcination of silica-containing natural products.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.