Kamila Fuchs

Visiting PhD Student (University of Wrocław, Poland)

Synthesis and potential applications of polymers based on double-decker silsesquioxanes

Supervisors: Prof. Łukasz John (Wrocław), Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini (Erlangen)

Over the past decade, the rapid advancement of technology has prompted the necessity to create new, customized materials tailored for specific purposes. One intriguing subset of such organic-inorganic hybrid materials is known as double-decker silsesquioxanes (DDSQ). The properties of DDSQ compounds can vary based on the type of substituents attached to the silicon atoms, making them versatile in applications such as (bio)materials engineering, organic synthesis, smart and self-healing polymers, coordination chemistry, and catalysis [1-5]. Our research has focused on synthesizing DDSQ methacrylate derivatives and subsequently polymerizing them with ethane-1,2-dithiol. Recent reports have highlighted the favorable optical properties of sulfur polymers, their affinity for certain metals like Pd, Au, and Hg, and their utility as photoactive catalysts, components in solar cells, and additives that enhance the strength and durability of cement [6-7]. During the stay at the FAU Institute of Biomaterials, several DDSQ compounds, synthesized in the home institute, will be used to fabricate nanofibers using the electrospinning method to provide new, polymeric materials. Obtained samples will be characterized using various methods, including: SEM, XRD and FTIR.

[1] A. Władyczyn, A. Gągor, K. Ślepokura, Ł. John, Inorg. Chem. Front., 2022, 9, 3999-4008.

[2] A. Władyczyn, A. Simiczyjew, D. Nowak, J. Wądzyńska, Ł. John, Biomater. Adv., 2023, 146, 213290.

[3] P. Wytrych, J. Utko, M. Stefanski, J. Kłak, T. Lis, Ł. John, Inorg. Chem., 2023, 62, 2913-2923.

[4] A. Władyczyn, Ł. John, Inorg. Chem., 2023, 62, 14, 5520–5530.

[5] Ł. John, Mater. Sci. Eng. C, 2018, 88, 172-181.

[6] H. Mutlu, E. B. Ceper, X. Li, J. Yang, W. Dong, M. M. Ozmen, P. Theato, Macromol. Rapid Commun., 2019, 40(1), 1800650,

[7] Worthington, M. J. H.; Kucera, R. L.; Chalker, J. M. Green Chem. 2017 19(12), 2748–2761