TECHNOLOGY CATEGORIES: MEMBRANES; SPECIALTY COATINGS; SENSORS

KEYWORDS: Dendrimer networks, Hydrophilic and hydrophobic nano domains, Poly(amidoamine-organosilicon), PAMAMOS, Films, Coating

DESCRIPTION: Dendrimer-based, honeycomb-like, nano-structured networks are prepared from radially layered poly(amidoamine-organosilicon), PAMAMOS, dendrimers having hydrophilic polyamidoamine, PAMAM, interiors and organosilicon, OS, exteriors. This is based on the hydrolysis and subsequent silanol condensation of PAMAMOS bearing alkoxysilyl reactive end-groups, such as SiOCH₃ or SiOCH₂CH₃ or on the free-radical reactions involving PAMAMOS bearing Si-CH=CH₂ or Si-CH₂-CH=CH₂ end-groups. These networks have precisely controllable sizes (1-8 nm in diameter), shapes (spheroidal) and spatial distributions of hydrophilic and nucleophilic PAMAM domains distributed within a hydrophobic OS matrix (i.e., PAMAM cells separated by OS walls). They can be prepared from PAMAMOS dendrimers alone, or from their mixtures with other reagents to modify their physical properties.

BENEFITS: The networks can be shaped into films, sheets, membranes or coatings and their mechanical properties can be regulated by selecting the dendrimer precursors and the chemistry of preparation between highly elastomeric (Tg<-20oC) and hard and plastomeric (Tg>100oC). They are optically clear, transparent, colorless and have non-stick, low energy surfaces.        

STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT: Feasibility demonstrated in a variety of different applications. Alkoxysilylated PAMAMOS with Si(CH₃)(OCH₃)₂ and Si(OCH₃)₃ end-groups are commercially available from Dendritech Inc. or Sigma-Aldrich in generations 0 through 7.

PATENT: Dvornic, P.R.; de Leuze-Jallouli, A.M.; Owen, M.J.; Perz, S.V., Dendrimer-Based Networks Containing Lyophilic Organosilicon and Hydrophilic Polyamidoamine Nanoscopic Domains, US Pat., 5,902,863, 1999.

REFERENCE: Dvornic, P.R.; Li. J.; de Leuze-Jallouli, A.M.; Reeves, S.D.; Owen, M.J., Nanostructured Dendrimer-Based Networks with Hydrophilic Polyamidoamine and Hydrophobic Organosilicon Domains, Macromolecules, 2002, 35, 9323.