TECHNOLOGY CATEGORIES: PHOTONICS; SPECIALTY COATINGS; OTHER

KEYWORDS: Hyperbranched polymer networks, Silicon-containing hyperbranched polymers, Polycarbosiloxanes, Nanoscopic silica domains, Hydrosilylation, Alkoxysilyl hydrolysis and subsequent silanol condensation reaction  

DESCRIPTION: This technology is for the preparation of crosslinked networks from silicon-containing hyperbranched polymers in which nano-scaled reinforcing structures are randomly distributed within and covalently bonded to the hyperbranched network domains. These silica-like structures may act as nanoscopic filler particles and are formed in situ by the catalyzed hydrolysis of reactive alkoxysilyl groups and subsequent condensation of the resulting silanols.    

BENEFITS: The main purpose of these hyperbranched polymer networks is to serve as self-reinforcing, self-healing materials for either elastomeric or plastomeric silicone-based films, sheets, coatings or membranes for various applications. These applications may include biomedical (e.g., attachment and delivery of drug molecules), matrices for chemical sensors, engineering (durable long lasting gaskets, sealants, etc.), hydrophobic encapsulants or matrices for electronics, photonics or optoelectronics devices, antifouling coatings, high temperature insulation, gaskets, sealants, O-rings, etc.         

STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT: Feasibility is being demonstrated in several ongoing projects. Research quantity samples will soon be available through special arrangements with MMI and/or Dendritech Inc.

PATENT: Dvornic, P.R., Hu, J., Meier, D.J., Nowak, R.M., Crosslinked Networks Containing Nanoscopic Reinforcing Domains, US Pat. 7,446,155 B2, 2008.

REFERENCES: (a) Dvornic, P.R.; Hu, J.; Meier, D.J.; Nowak, R.M., Silicon-containing Hyperbranched Polymers via Bimolecular Polymerization, Polym. Prepr., 2004, 45(1), 585. (b) Dvornic, P.R.; Meier, D.J., Hyperbranched Silicon-containing Polymers via Bimolecular Non-Linear Polymerization, in Silicon-Containing Dendritic Polymers, Dvornic, P.R.; Owen, M.J., Eds., Springer, 2009, pp. 401-419.