Raman Open Database: first interconnected Raman-X-ray diffraction open-access resource for material identification.

Detailed crystallographic information provided by X-ray diffraction (XRD) is complementary to molecular information provided by Raman spectroscopy. Accordingly, the combined use of these techniques allows the identification of an unknown compound without ambiguity. However, a full combination of Raman and XRD results requires an appropriate and reliable reference database with complete information.

Unveiling the hybrid interface in polymer nanocomposites enclosing silsesquioxanes with tunable molecular structure: Spectroscopic, thermal and mechanical properties.

Organic-inorganic nanobuilding blocks (NBBs) based on silsesquioxanes (SSQs) have potential applications as nanofillers, thermal stabilizers, and rheological modifiers, which can improve thermomechanical properties of polymer hosts. The possibility to tune both siloxane structure and pendant groups can promote compatibilization and peculiar interactions with a plethora of polymers. However, the control on SSQs molecular architecture and functionalities is usually delicate and requires careful synthetic details.

Influence of Sol-Gel Conditions on the Growth of Thiol-Functionalized Silsesquioxanes Prepared by In Situ Water Production.

Thiol-functionalized oligosilsesquioxanes have been synthesized by sol-gel chemistry via the in-situ water production (ISWP) approach, exploiting the esterification reaction of chloro-acetic acid and 1-propanol. The extent of hydrolysis-condensation of 3-Mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (McPTMS) has been studied by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and MALDI-TOF techniques. The esterification reaction plays a key role in ruling out the oligomer structural development.