Ultrafast synthesis of silicone elastomers using silsesquioxane cages as crosslinkers

Abstract

Cross-linked siloxane/silsesquioxane-based elastomers were easily prepared in 15 min via the anionic ring-opening polymerization of cyclotetrasiloxane (D₄) and a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, using K₂CO₃ as a catalytic base in dimethylformamide at 70 °C. The resulting silicone elastomers have high mechanical strength, good thermal stability, and good superhydrophobic properties.