High Refractive-Index Hybrids Consisting of Water-Soluble Matrices with Bipyridine-Modified Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane and Lanthanoid Cations.

We report high refractive-index (RI) films composed of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (SSQ) matrices and various lanthanoid cations. The SSQ matrices were constructed from octaammonium SSQ by connecting with bipyridine dicarboxylic acid, which is expected to capture cations. By modulating the feed ratio between SSQ and dicarboxylic acid, the series of the SSQ matrices were obtained with variable cross-linking ratios among the SSQ units.

Fluoroalkyl POSS with Dual Functional Groups as a Molecular Filler for Lowering Refractive Indices and Improving Thermomechanical Properties of PMMA.

The dual-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) derivatives, which have the seven fluorinated alkanes and the single acrylate ester on the silica cube, were designed as a filler for lowering the refractive index (RI) and improving thermomechanical properties in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The desired dual-functionalized POSS fillers were prepared, and because of its high miscibility, homogeneous films were readily obtained, by the casting method, with the mixture solutions containing the modified POSS and the polymers. From optical measurements, it was found that the larger effects of lowering the RIs of the PMMA matrices were observed from the modified POSS than those of the octa-substituted POSS derivatives with the homogeneous substituents.

Optical, Electrical and Thermal Properties of Organic⁻Inorganic Hybrids with Conjugated Polymers Based on POSS Having Heterogeneous Substituents.

Preparation of organic⁻inorganic hybrids with conventional conjugated polymers such as polyfluorene (PF) and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) were demonstrated via the facile blending in solution by employing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) having heterogeneous alkyl substituents. From the optical measurements, it was shown that the modified POSS derivatives played a critical role in facilitating amorphous state of polymer matrices. Interestingly, although inter-strand interaction decreased after POSS addition in the hybrid films, thermal stability can be enhanced in the presence of the modified POSS with long alkyl chains.