Perfect and nearly perfect silsesquioxane (SQs) nanoconstruction sites and Janus SQs

Abstract

Cubic silsesquioxanes (SQs) offer perfect and nearly perfect 3-D symmetry with eight functional groups with each functional group occupying a different octant in Cartesian space. This paper is concerned with the synthesis of both highly symmetrical octa-monofunctional SQs and statistically bifunctional SQs wherein because of similar properties each functionality separates to one side of the cubically symmetric SQ giving Janus-like behavior. In the latter case we find these materials to offer novel properties of use in making both coatings with controlled contact angles ranging from 50-120 °C, with hardnesses (pencil) as high as 6H and the opportunity to make layer-by-layer coatings. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.