All-organic polymer blend dielectrics of poly (arylene ether urea) and polyimide: Toward high energy density and high temperature applications

The development of high-performance dielectric films with high energy density and temperature stability is extremely desired for modern electronics and power systems. Herein, a simple and low-cost approach is proposed to fabricate all-organic blend films prepared from poly (arylene ether urea) (PEEU) and polyimide (PI) via solution casting and thermal imidization process. The incorporation of PEEU in PI matrix significantly improved dielectric breakdown strength and dielectric constant of PI. More precisely, blend film with 15 wt% PEEU exhibited highest energy density 5.14 J/cm³ at 495.65 MV/m, with enhanced dielectric constant of 4.73 and very low dissipation factor of 0.299%. Furthermore, the dielectric properties of the PEEU/PI blend displayed wonderful temperature stability in the range of − 50–+ 250°C, and great frequency stability between 10 and 10⁶ Hz. The blend film also exhibited excellent heat resistance and presented valuable potential in thin film capacitors for high voltage direct current system.     

Synthetic Semiconductor Diamond Electrodes: Electrochemical Characteristics of Homoepitaxial Boron-doped Films Grown at the (111), (110), and (100) Faces of Diamond Crystals

Electrode behavior of homoepitaxial (single-crystal) boron-doped diamond films deposited onto differently orientated faces of dielectric diamond single crystals is studied by the electrochemical impedance and potentiodynamic curve methods. It is shown that the acceptor concentration determined from the slope of Mott–Schottky plots decreases, in the epitaxial films grown under the same conditions, in the series: (111) > (110) > (100). This is explained by different intensity of boron incorporation, from gas phase, into differently orientated faces of the diamond crystals during their growth. The rate of electrode reactions in the Fe(CN)₆ ^3–/4– and Ru(NH₃)₆ ^2+/3+ redox systems decreases in the above series, which obeys the earlier found interrelationship between the electrochemical kinetics at diamond electrodes and their doping level.     

Scanning tunneling microscopy, orbital-mediated tunneling spectroscopy, and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy of metal(II) tetraphenylporphyrins deposited from vapor.

Thin films of vapor-deposited Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes of tetraphenylporphyrin (NiTPP and CoTPP) were studied supported on gold and embedded in Al-Al(2)O(3)-MTPP-Pb tunnel diodes, where M = Ni or Co. Thin films deposited onto polycrystalline gold were analyzed by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) using He I radiation. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and orbital-mediated tunneling spectroscopy (STM-OMTS) were performed on submonolayer films of CoTPP and NiTPP supported on Au(111). Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS) and OMTS were measured in conventional tunnel diode structures. The highest occupied pi molecular orbital of the porphyrin ring was seen in both STM-OMTS and UPS at about 6.4 eV below the vacuum level. The lowest unoccupied pi molecular orbital of the porphyrin ring was observed by STM-OMTS and by IETS-OMTS to be located near 3.4 eV below the vacuum level. The OMTS spectra of CoTPP had a band near 5.2 eV (below the vacuum level) that was attributed to transient oxidation of the central Co(II) ion. That is, it is due to electron OMT via the half-filled d(z)(2) orbital present in Co(II) of CoTPP. The NiTPP OMTS spectra show no such band, consistent with the known difficulty of oxidation of the Ni(II) ion. The STM-based OMTS allowed these two porphyrin complexes to be easily distinguished. The present work is the first report of the observation of STM-OMTS, tunnel junction OMTS, and UPS of the same compounds. Scanning tunneling microscope-based orbital-mediated tunneling provides more information than UPS or tunnel junction-based OMTS and does so with molecular-scale resolution.     

Improving ferro- and piezo- electric properties of hydrogenized poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) films by annealing at elevated temperatures

After annealing the solution cast P(VDF-TrFE) films at elevated temperatures, which were synthesized via a full hydrogenation process from P(VDF-CTFE) with a composition of VDF/TrFE = 80/20(mol%), a series of P(VDF-TrFE) films were fabricated in present work. The crystalline and ferroelectric phases of the films were carefully characterized and their dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties were systematically investigated. The improved crystalline and ferroelectric phases in the films induced by annealing at elevated temperatures are responsible for the significant improved electric properties of the films. The optimized annealing temperature is found to be 130 °C and the best performance including the highest dielectric constant of 12.5 at 1 kHz, the largest maximum polarization of 11.21 μC/cm~2 and remnant polarization of 7.22 μC/cm~2, the lowest coercive electric field of 56 MV/m, and the highest piezoelectric coefficient of -25 pC/N is observed.     

STUDIES ON THE CHAIN STRUCTURAL EFFECT OF PVDF AND VDF (52)/TrFE(48) COPOLYMER BY MEANS OF THE METHOD OF DIELECTRIC RELAXATION

Through improvements on a fully commercial and automatic system measuring frequency andtemperature spectra of the complex elastic, dielectric, and piezoelectric constants of polymerfilms, the precision for measuring complex dielectric constants achieved 2‰ from original 1%.The complex dielectric constants of PVDF, VDF (95 )/VF (5), VDF (52)/TrFE (48) and VDF(47. 5)/TrFE(47. 5)/HeFP (5) over a range of-120-140℃, 10-2-10~4Hz were measured bythe described system. The diminution of chain regularity due to 5mol% vinyl fluoride in the chainof PVDF led to disappearing of α-relaxation and increase in T_g (3℃) of VDF (95)/VF (5).Because of the spatial impediment of 5mol% HeFP in copolymer chain, the Curie point of VDF(52)/TrFE(48) decreased by 30℃ and T_g by 3℃. The behavior of dielectric relaxation indicatedthat 5mol% vinyl fluoride and HeFP made the relaxation strength of noncrystalline regionreduced, the activation energy of local relaxation increased and the relaxation time prolonged respectively.     

Novel organosoluble and colorless poly(ether imide)s based on 3,3‐bis[4‐(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]phthalide dianhydride and aromatic bis(ether amine)s bearing pendent trifluoromethyl groups

A novel series of colorless and highly organosoluble poly(ether imide)s were prepared from 3,3‐bis[4‐(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]phthalide dianhydride with various fluorinated aromatic bis(ether amine)s via a conventional two‐stage process that included ring‐opening polyaddition to form the poly(amic acid)s followed by cyclodehydration to produce the polymer films. The poly(ether imide)s showed excellent solubility, with most of them dissoluble at a concentration of 10 wt % in amide polar solvents, in ether‐type solvents, and even in chlorinated solvents. Their films had a cutoff wavelength between 358 and 373 nm, and the yellowness index ranged from 3.1 to 9.5. The glass‐transition temperatures of the poly(ether imide) series were recorded between 237 and 297 °C, the decomposition temperatures at 10% weight loss were all above 494 °C, and the residue was more than 54% at 800 °C in nitrogen. These films showed high tensile strength and also were characterized by higher solubility, lighter color, and lower dielectric constants and moisture absorption than an analogous nonfluorinated polyimide series. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3140–3152, 2006     

Novel organosoluble and colorless poly(ether imide)s based on 1,1-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]cyclohexane dianhydride and trifluoromethyl-substituted aromatic bis(ether amine)s

A series of novel fluorinated poly(ether imide)s (IV) having inherent viscosities of 0.70-1.08 dL/g were prepared from 1,1-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]cyclohexane dianhydride (I) and various trifluoromethyl (CF₃)-substituted aromatic bis(ether amine)s II_a-g by a standard two-step process with thermal and chemical imidization of poly(amic acid) precursors. These poly(ether imide)s showed excellent solubility in many organic solvents and could be solution-cast into transparent, flexible, and tough films. These films were essentially colorless, with an ultraviolet-visible absorption edge of 375-380 nm and a very low b^∗ value (a yellowness index) of 5.5-7.3. They also showed good thermal stability with glass-transition temperatures of 207-269 °C, 10% weight loss temperatures in excess of 474 °C, and char yields at 800 °C in nitrogen more than 62%. In comparison with analogous V series poly(ether imide)s without the -CF₃ substituents, the IV series polymers showed better solubility, lower color intensity, and lower dielectric constants.     

Coordination properties of bidentate (N,O) and tridentate (N,O,O) heterocyclic alcohols with dimethyltin(IV)

The complex-formation equilibria of dimethyltin(IV) (DMT) with 4-hydroxymethyl imidazole (HMI) and 2,6-dihydroxymethyl pyridine (PDC) have been investigated. Stoichiometry and stability constants for the complexes formed were determined at different temperatures and 0.1?mol?L^?1 NaNO₃ ionic strength. The concentration distribution of the complexes in solution was evaluated as a function of pH. The effect of dioxane as a solvent on both protonation constants and formation constants of DMT complexes with HMI and PDC are discussed. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH° and ΔS° calculated from the temperature dependence of the equilibrium constants were investigated.     

Encapsulating bis(beta-ketoiminato) polyethers. Volatile, fluorine-free barium precursors for metal-organic chemical vapor deposition

The synthesis, characterization, and incorporation in volatile metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) precursors of a new class of linked beta-ketoiminate-polyether-beta-ketoiminate ligands is presented. These ligands are designed to encapsulate alkaline-earth cations having low charges and large ionic radii. Barium complexes having the general formula Ba[(RCOCHC(R')N)2(R")] (R = tert-butyl or CF3; R' = tert-butyl, methyl, or CF3; R" = -(CH2CH2O)4CH2CH2- or -(CH2CH2O)5CH2CH2)-) were prepared and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 2,2,5,25,28,28-hexamethyl-9,12,15,18,21-pentaoxa-4,25-diene-6,24- diimino-3,27-pentacosadionatobarium(II) reveals a monomeric, nine-coordinate, tricapped trigonal prismatic coordination geometry. Single-crystal X-ray structural analysis of 1,1,1,24,24,24-hexafluoro-4,21-ditrifluoromethyl-8,11,14,17- tetraoxa-3,21-diene-5,20-diimino-2,23-tetracosadionatobarium(II).2DMSO reveals a monomeric, ten-coordinate, distorted tetracapped trigonal prismatic coordination geometry. Volatility data are presented for these barium complexes, demonstrating viability as MOCVD precursors. In addition, it is demonstrated that thin epitaxial films of BaTiO3 can be grown on (001) MgO by low-pressure MOCVD techniques using one of these barium complexes and Ti(dipivaloylmethanate)2(isopropoxide)2 as precursors.     

Spectrophotometric study of Cd(II), Pb(II), Hg(II) and Zn(II) complexes with 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxylphenyl)porphyrin

The reaction of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxylphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP) with Cd(II), Pb(II), Hg(II) and Zn(II) was studied spectrophotometrically and kinetics, equilibrium constants as well as photodecomposition of complexes were determined. It was verified that these metal ions with large radius accelerate the incorporation reaction of zinc into TCPP. On the basis of the mechanism and kinetics of this reaction, a sensitive method for the spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of Zn(II) has been developed. The molar absorptivity of examined Zn-TCPP complex and Sandell's sensitivity at 423 nm were 3.5×10⁵ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹ and 18.3 ng cm⁻². The detection limit for the recommended procedure was 1.4×10⁻⁹ M (0.9 ng ml⁻¹) and precision in range 20-100 ng ml⁻¹ not exceeds 2.7% RSD. The proposed method applied for zinc determination in natural waters and nutritional supplement was compared with AAS results and declared value.     

Adsorption of lead(II) and copper(II) on activated carbon by complexation with surface functional groups

The adsorption of lead(II) and copper(II) on an activated carbon (Filtrasorb 300, Chemviron) was characterized assuming that it takes place by formation of complexes with functional groups, present in the activated carbon. Their concentration and conditional adsorption coefficients were determined for each metal by titration of the carbon in suspension in aqueous phase, at constant acidity, with the metal itself. For each titration point, the concentration of the metal in the solution phase after equilibration was determined, and the data were processed by the Ruzic linearization method, to obtain the concentration of the active sites involved in the sorption, and the conditional constant. The effect of the pH was also examined, in the range 4-6, obtaining that the adsorption increases at increasing pH. The protonation and adsorption constants were determined from the conditional adsorption coefficients obtained at the different acidities. The concentration of the active sites is 0.023 and 0.042 mmol g⁻¹, and the protonation constants are 1.0×10⁶ and 4.6×10⁴ M⁻¹ for Pb(II) and Cu(II). The corresponding adsorption constants are respectively 1.4×10⁵ and 6.3×10³ M⁻¹. All the parameters are affected by a large uncertainty, probably due to the heterogeneity of the active groups in the activated carbon. Even if so, these parameters make it possible a good prediction of the adsorption in a wide range of conditions. Other sorption mechanism can be set up at different conditions, in particular at different pH, as it has been demonstrated in the case of copper(II).     

Tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Sensor Based on Platinized Carbon Nanotube–Zirconia–Nafion Composite Films

Mesoporous films of platinized carbon nanotube–zirconia–Nafion composite have been used for the immobilization of tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium (II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) on an electrode surface to yield a solid‐state electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) sensor. The composite films of Pt–CNT–zirconia–Nafion exhibit much larger pore diameter (3.55 nm) than that of Nafion (2.82 nm) and thus leading to much larger ECL response for tripropylamine (TPA) because of the fast diffusion of the analyte within the films. Due to the conducting and electrocatalytic features of CNTs and Pt nanoparticles, their incorporation into the zirconia–Nafion composite films resulted in the decreased electron transfer resistance within the films. The present ECL sensor based on the Pt–CNT–zirconia–Nafion gave a linear response (R²=0.999) for TPA concentration from 3.0 nM to 1.0 mM with a remarkable detection limit (S/N=3) of 1.0 nM, which is much lower compared to those obtained with the ECL sensors based on other types of sol‐gel ceramic–Nafion composite films such as silica–Nafion and titania–Nafion.     

Adsorption of anionic methyl orange dye by polyaniline,poly(o-methylaniline) and poly(o-methoxyaniline)

This study reports the effect of substituents in the ortho position of polyaniline on the adsorption capacity to remove the anionic dye methyl orange (MO) from an aqueous solution. The aim of this study is the synthesis of polyaniline (PANI) and its derivatives, poly-o-methylaniline (poly-o-toluidine, POT) and poly-o-methoxyaniline (poly-o-anisidine, POA) for the adsorption removal of MO dye. All polymers were obtained by oxidative polymerization of the corresponding monomers and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The average particle size of the polymer was about 200 nm. The effect of various parameters such as pH, temperature, adsorption time and initial concentration was analyzed. It was found that the adsorption capacity for dye removal increases from 50.68 to 222.56 mg g⁻¹ for PANI, from 16.89 to 66.57 mg g⁻¹ for POT, and from 97.26 to 532.54 mg g⁻¹ for POA with an increase in the initial dye concentration from 5 up to 50 mg L⁻¹. For all polymers, the equilibrium state of MO adsorption was reached in 50 min. The results showed that MO adsorption on PANI, POT, and POA is well described by a pseudo second order kinetic model. Isothermal studies have shown that adsorption is in good agreement with the Langmuir isotherm model, as evidenced by higher values of correlation coefficients. Based on the data of thermodynamic studies, it was concluded that MO adsorption on PANI, POT, and POA is spontaneous and endothermic.     

Dielectric and Pyroelectric Properties of Compositionally Graded Pb(Zr1-xTix)O3 Thin Films Prepared by Sol-gel Process

"Compositionally graded ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr1-xTix)O3 (PZT) thin films were grown on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates by using a sol-gel process. The final structure consists of six layers, up-graded graded films starting from PbZrO3 on the Pt electrode to the top PZT(50) layer, it consists of no Ti, 10%Ti, 20%Ti, 30%Ti, 40%Ti, and 50%Ti respectively. Whereas films with opposite gradient are called down-graded graded films. Structure and dielectric properties of the graded films was investigated by X-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy and by impedance analysis. The up-graded and down-graded PZT films annealed at 600 o, exhibited the remanent polarization values of 18.0 and 24.2 1C/cm2, respectively. The typical small signal dielectric constants and loss tanffi at a frequency of 100 Hz were 523 and 0.018, 544, and 0.020, respectively, for up-graded and down-graded PZT thin films. The temperature dependence of pyroelectric coeoients of the graded PZT films was measured by a dynamic technique. From 20 o to 82 o, the pyroelectric coeoients of the up-graded and down-graded PZT films up to 374 and 407 1C/m2K, respectively."     

Synthesis, characterization and hydrolytic stability of poly (amic acid) ammonium salt

A series of new poly (amic acid) ammonium salt (PAAS) precursors were prepared by incorporating different amounts of triethylamine (TEA) into terpolymer polyamic acid (PAA), which was synthesized by pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 4,4’-oxydianiline (ODA) and p-phenylenediamine (PDA) in dimethylacetamide (DMAc). Then, the PAAS films were made by casting their solutions onto glass plates followed by the evaporation of the solvent. The chemical structure of PAAS films was confirmed by ¹H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. Mechanical properties, intrinsic viscosities and solubility of PAAS precursors were examined, respectively. It was found that the intrinsic viscosity of PAA solution obviously decreased with storage time during 30 days, while no distinct changes were observed in the intrinsic viscosity of the PAAS (the mole ratio of TEA/repeating unit of PAA = 2/1) solution after 90 days. The results suggested that hydrolytic stability of the PAAS films was significantly improved as compared with that of PAA film due to the polyelectrolyte structure of PAAS. Moreover, the thermal and mechanical properties of polyimide (PI) films prepared from PAAS precursors were also investigated, respectively.     

The effect of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on the optical,electrical and solid state properties of copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) deposited by sensitive spray pyrolysis (SSP)

Recently, the use of CZTS as the basis for other generation of low cost thin films solar cells has stimulated further researches. Its excellent p-type absorber nature, relatively high absorption coefficient and ideal energy band-gap of 1.5eV motivated these efforts. Additionally, CZTS consist of earth-abundant, cheap and non-toxic elements with very low manufacturing cost. Initially, copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cell device emerged but suffered limitations in further development because of rare indium and gallium in the device structure therefore, CZTS is recently preferred as an alternative to CIGS commercial solar cell absorber layer. In this work, solution mixture of CZTS and PVA was deposited on a substrate at temperature of 150 °C. Sensitive spray pyrolysis was used to grow the thin films where calculated amount of the precursor mixture was allowed to fall and be deposited on a heated substrate to form CZTS/PVA thin films. Subsequently, the thin film samples were annealed at a temperature of 200^oCfor 1 h to achieving pure crystalline thin film formation. SEM, XRD analysis, Optical, Solid State properties and Raman analysis were studied. The XRD analysis showed that the thin films fell into the pure kesterite structure of CZTS. Results show that produced thin films exhibited higher absorption coefficient and optical conductivity than pure CZTS, 10⁶ m^?1 and 10¹⁴(S^?1) against 10⁴cm^?1 and 10¹²(S^?1) respectively. The band-gap is between 1.53eV and 1.73eV. Using a PVA concentration of 0.05 M yielded highest absorbance and optical conductivity with lowest real dielectric constant and transmittance. These improved optical, electrical and solid state properties suitably qualify these thin films as absorber layer material for solar cell applications.     

Hydrosilylation of methylenecyclopropane and methylenecyclobutane with dichloro(methyl)silane and synthesis of novel acetylenic silahydrocarbons from the reaction products

Hydrosilylation of methylenecyclopropane with dichloro(methyl)silane involves not only addition to the multiple bond, but also results in opening of the three-membered ring to form dichloro(cyclopropylmethyl)methylsilane and 1,4-bis(dichloromethylsilyl)butane. Dichloro(cycloalkylmethyl)methylsilanes were converted into the corresponding (cycloalkylmethyl)(diethynyl)methylsilanes by reaction with ethynylmagnesium bromide. The reaction of bis(bromomagnesioethynyl)(cyclobutylmethyl)methylsilane with dichlorodimethylsilane leads to cyclotetrasilaethyne framed with methyl and cyclobutyl groups. From 1,4-bis-[dichloro(methyl)silyl]butane and bis[(bromomagnesioethynyl)dimethylsilyl]ethyne or -ethene, 22-membered macrobicyclic highly unsaturated silahydrocarbons with an endocyclic tetramethylene bridge were synthesized.Translated from Zhurnal Obshchei Khimii, Vol. 74, No. 10, 2004, pp. 1608–1611.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by O. Yarosh, Zhilitskaya, N. Yarosh, Albanov, Voronkov.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Tunable dielectric thin films by aqueous, inorganic solution-based processing

Sub-micron, nanolaminated, dielectric thin films comprised of amorphous aluminum oxide phosphate (AlPO) and hafnium oxide sulfate (HafSOx) layers were fabricated in open-air conditions from aqueous inorganic precursors by spin coating with minimal thermal processing. These nanolaminated thin film insulators display an averaging effect of effective dielectric permittivity in devices with controlled AlPO:HafSOx thickness ratios, enabling tunable dielectric properties. X-ray reflectivity measurements were used to characterize film thickness, smoothness, and uniformity. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze final nanolaminated devices. Electrical characterization of metal-insulator-insulator-metal capacitors revealed tunable relative dielectric constants ranging from approximately 5–10 with loss tangents less than 2% at 10 kHz in devices with approximately 300 nm total dielectric thickness. The results suggest a simple, inexpensive processing approach for fabricating devices that require insulating layers with specific dielectric properties.     

Simple and easy recycling of poly(amic acid) gels through microwave irradiation

Poly(amic acid)s (PAAs), which are precursors of polyimides, often undergo gel formation during their synthesis or storage, and these insoluble gels have been discarded. In this work, we discovered that the gels could be converted to homogeneous PAA solutions by fast and simple microwave (MW) irradiation. The PAA gels were placed inside a domestic MW oven, and MW irradiation was carried out with 240 W for 2 min. The recycled PAA solutions afforded polyimide films, coatings, and powders. The polyimides prepared from the recycled PAA solutions exhibited higher glass transition temperatures (T_gs), decomposition temperatures, and char yields than comparison polyimides obtained from ordinary PAA solutions. Flexible free‐standing polyimide films were obtained by drop‐casting of the MW‐treated solutions and subsequent thermal imidization. Mechanical properties and dielectric constants were measured for the polyimide films and coatings, respectively. This new method has significant advantages for the environment, economy, and industry. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 981–987     

Preparation and properties of alkoxy(methyl)silsesquioxanes as coating agents

Polysilsesquioxanes were prepared through the acid‐catalyzed hydrolytic polycondensation of triethoxy(methyl)silane, triisopropoxy(methyl)silane, or triisobutoxy(methyl)silane and subjected to dip coating to form coating films. The film formation depended on the polarity and crystallinity of the substrate, and a correlation was found between the substrate and polysilsesquioxane solubility parameters. When the coating film was heated, thermal condensation occurred at about 500 °C between hydroxy groups or between hydroxy and alkoxy groups. The methyl group attached to silicon decomposed, and siloxane bonding formed at about 800 °C. The adhesion and hardness of the coating films were evaluated with the Japanese Industrial Standard K5400 protocol, and they increased with increases in the heating time and heat‐treatment temperature. The refractive index of the coating films decreased when the heat‐treatment temperature was increased to 500 °C because of the combustion of organic groups. In contrast, the surface electric resistance increased with the heat‐treatment temperature up to 500 °C. The dielectric constant was 2.6–2.8 and decreased with an increases in the molecular weight and the degree of crosslinking of the polysilsesquioxanes. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3676–3684, 2004