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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 9039

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Dr. Jerzy J. Chruściel

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ŁUKASIEWICZ Research Network – Lodz Institute of Technology, Brzezińska 5/15, 92-103 Łódź, Poland
Interests: science and technology of polymers and plastics, with focus on chemistry and technology of organosilicon, organo-metallic and inorganic polymers (silicones, etc.); silane coupling agents (SCA); synthesis of functional silanes, polymers and their characterization; modification of inorganic polymers with functional silanes, silicates and silicones; modification of polymers and polymeric materials by chemical and physical methods; epoxy resins, polyurethane foams, fire resistant polymers and composites, nanocomposites; chemical and antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) modifications of properties of textile materials, barrier protection of textiles and garments against UV radiation, preparation of polymeric membranes for water desalination and purification
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Dear Colleagues,

A semiconductive pure silicon is used as a basic electronic material for production of computer chips and other electronic devices.

Many functional silanes of different chemical structures containing reactive groups, mostly bound to silicon atom, but also quite often attached to carbon atom are applied for modification of surface properties of different polymeric and inorganic materials, e.g., fillers.

Silicones (polysiloxanes), containing silicon and oxygen atoms in their main chains and organic substituents bound to silicon, are a large and most important group of various inorganic-organic (hybrid) compounds and materials. Mainly poly(dimethylsiloxanes) (PDMS) are used. Silicones are applied as oils, rubbers, and resins (W. Noll, 1968; M.A. Brook, 2000). They have many unusual features - they exhibit excellent chemical, physical, and electrical properties. Even an addition of a very small amount of silicones causes a crucial improvement of properties of modified materials. Silicones increase hydrophobicity and improve water resistance and thermal stability of many materials.

Other organosilicon polymers, and especially, polysilanes, polycarbosilanes, and polysilazanes, are raw materials for fabrication of polymer-derived high-tech ceramic materials. Silicon-based polymers and polymeric materials as well as reactive silane coupling agents are used in many fields – from industry, through everyday life commodity goods and cosmetics, to medicine. Their universal properties decide that they are very useful and attractive materials and components in a very wide range of products.

A continuously growing interest in applications of reactive silanes, all kinds of silicones, chemically modified nanosilica, different composites, silicon photovoltaic cells, and silicon nanowires has been still observed in many different fields of science, the chemical technology, and especially in materials science. Original contributions and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Jerzy J. Chruściel
Guest Editor

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Keywords

silica annd silicates - applications in materials science
silicon containing polymers and materials
chemistry, technology and applications of silicones
applications of silane coupling agents (SCA)
polysilsesquioxanes (POSS)
modification of polymeric materials with silanes, silicates and silicones
nanomaterials, composites and nanocomposites
superhydrofobic materials
medical applications of silicones

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Related Special Issue

Materials Containing Silicon, Its Inorganic Derivatives, Functional Silanes, and/or Organosilicon Polymers ——2nd Edition in Materials

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18 pages, 11810 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Silanized Graphene Oxide/Glass Fiber-Modified Epoxy Composite with Excellent Anti-Corrosion and Mechanical Properties as Offshore Oil Platform Safety Signs

by Guanglei Lv, Peng Xiao, Yuhua Su and Xinmei Liu

Materials 2025, 18(9), 1920; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18091920 - 24 Apr 2025

Viewed by 226

Abstract

Epoxy resin (EP) is a candidate material for offshore oil platform safety signs due to its excellent corrosion resistance property. However, fabricating EP with good anti-corrosion as well as mechanical properties remains a significant challenge. Here, we report a new modification strategy to simultaneously improve the corrosion resistance and mechanical performance of EP by coupling it with KH550 silanized graphene oxide (KGO) and KH550 silanized glass fiber (KGF). KGO and KGF were grafted onto EP to obtain the modified EP material, i.e., KGO/KGF/EP composites and were characterized by FITR, XRD, SEM, and TGA to confirm the successful synthesis of the composites. It is shown that the tensile strength and adhesion strength of KGO/KGF/EP were 85.5 MPa and 16.0 MPa, which are 10.3% and 23.1% higher than KGO/GF/EP. Compared with KGF/EP, the corrosion potential increased by 9.9% and the corrosion rate decreased by 98.8%. Moreover, fluid–structure coupling simulation indicated the maximum stress of the material was within the criteria under extreme wind speeds, demonstrating its great potential for offshore oil platform safety sign applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Containing Silicon, Its Inorganic Derivatives, Functional Silanes, and/or Organosilicon Polymers)

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18 pages, 4791 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Thermal Stability and Thermal Transitions of Hydroxyl-Terminated Polysiloxane/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

by Sozon P. Vasilakos and Petroula A. Tarantili

Materials 2025, 18(6), 1226; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18061226 - 10 Mar 2025

Viewed by 466

Abstract

Condensation-type polysiloxane composites with montmorillonite (MMT) of different organic modifications were prepared in this study. X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization revealed that the higher degree of organic modification in Cloisite 20A, compared to that in Cloisite 30B, resulted in a larger interlayer spacing between the clay platelets. This facilitates the insertion of elastomer chains between the layers, enabling easier exfoliation and dispersion in the elastomeric matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the reinforcing agents used reduced the cold crystallization temperature of the condensation-type polysiloxane while leaving the glass transition and melting temperatures nearly unaffected. Additionally, the nanocomposites exhibited slightly lower crystallization and melting enthalpies compared to pure silicone. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that incorporating the two organically modified clays (Cloisite 20A and Cloisite 30B) into the condensation-type polysiloxane significantly improved the thermal stability of the resulting nanocomposites. This improvement was reflected in the significant increase in the onset and maximum degradation rate temperatures across all examined reinforcement ratios. It was observed that a higher degree of organic modification in MMT (Cloisite 20A) resulted in a more efficient dispersion in the PDMS matrix and enhanced the thermal stability of the composites. These PDMS nanocomposites could be suitable as protective coatings for devices exposed to elevated temperatures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Containing Silicon, Its Inorganic Derivatives, Functional Silanes, and/or Organosilicon Polymers)

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23 pages, 4940 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sonochemical Functionalization of SiO₂ Nanoparticles with Citric Acid and Monoethanolamine and Its Remarkable Effect on Antibacterial Activity

by Iván Toledo-Manuel, Marissa Pérez-Alvarez, Gregorio Cadenas-Pliego, Christian Javier Cabello-Alvarado, Guadalupe Tellez-Barrios, Carlos Alberto Ávila-Orta, Antonio Serguei Ledezma-Pérez, Marlene Andrade-Guel and Pascual Bartolo-Pérez

Materials 2025, 18(2), 439; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18020439 - 18 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 976

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) are excellent antibacterial agents due to their ability to interact with microorganisms at the cellular level. However, their antimicrobial capacity can be limited by their tendency to agglomerate. Functionalizing NPs with suitable ligands improves their stability and dispersion in different media and enhances their antibacterial activity. The present work studied the functionalization of SiO₂ NPs using the sonochemical method and the Influence of organic ligands on antimicrobial activity (AA). The organic ligands studied were citric acid (CA) and monoethanolamine (MEA). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results confirmed the amorphous structure of SiO₂ NPs and their functionalization. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that functionalization with MEA (SiO₂-MEA NPs) is more favored compared to AC (SiO₂-CA NPs), and the organic ligand content was 34.42% and 28.0%, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and RAMAN spectroscopy results confirmed the functionalization of NPs through the presence of carboxyl and amino groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and zeta potential results showed that functionalization of SiO₂ NPs helped to improve their dispersion and prevent their agglomeration. Furthermore, the results of antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli showed that the functionalization provided a significant improvement in the antibacterial activity (AA) of the SiO₂ NPs, where the SiO₂-CA NPs showed the highest activity, with a 99.99% inhibition percentage at concentrations of 200 ppm against both E. coli and S. aureus strains. The AA is maintained at high concentrations of 1200 ppm, which is essential in applications requiring high percentages of biocidal NPs, such as marine coatings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Containing Silicon, Its Inorganic Derivatives, Functional Silanes, and/or Organosilicon Polymers)

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12 pages, 5381 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Silicon Carbide Coating and Nanotube Diameter on the Antibacterial Properties of Nanostructured Titanium Surfaces

by Patricia dos Santos Calderon, Aravindraja Chairmandurai, Xinyi Xia, Fernanda G. Rocha, Samira Esteves Afonso Camargo, Kesavalu Lakshmyya, Fan Ren and Josephine F. Esquivel-Upshaw

Materials 2024, 17(15), 3843; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17153843 - 2 Aug 2024

Viewed by 905

Abstract

This study aimed to comprehensively assess the influence of the nanotube diameter and the presence of a silicon carbide (SiC) coating on microbial proliferation on nanostructured titanium surfaces. An experiment used 72 anodized titanium sheets with varying nanotube diameters of 50 and 100 nm. These sheets were divided into four groups: non-coated 50 nm titanium nanotubes, SiC-coated 50 nm titanium nanotubes, non-coated 100 nm titanium nanotubes, and SiC-coated 100 nm titanium nanotubes, totaling 36 samples per group. P. gingivalis and T. denticola reference strains were used to evaluate microbial proliferation. Samples were assessed over 3 and 7 days using fluorescence microscopy with a live/dead viability kit and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). At the 3-day time point, fluorescence and SEM images revealed a lower density of microorganisms in the 50 nm samples than in the 100 nm samples. However, there was a consistently low density of T. denticola across all the groups. Fluorescence images indicated that most bacteria were viable at this time. By the 7th day, there was a decrease in the microorganism density, except for T. denticola in the non-coated samples. Additionally, more dead bacteria were detected at this later time point. These findings suggest that the titanium nanotube diameter and the presence of the SiC coating influenced bacterial proliferation. The results hinted at a potential antibacterial effect on the 50 nm diameter and the coated surfaces. These insights contribute valuable knowledge to dental implantology, paving the way for developing innovative strategies to enhance the antimicrobial properties of dental implant materials and mitigate peri-implant infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Containing Silicon, Its Inorganic Derivatives, Functional Silanes, and/or Organosilicon Polymers)

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15 pages, 4653 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trimethylsilane Plasma-Nanocoated Silver Nanowires for Improved Stability

by Yixuan Liao, Ganggang Zhao, Yun Ling, Zheng Yan and Qingsong Yu

Materials 2024, 17(15), 3635; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17153635 - 23 Jul 2024

Viewed by 869

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of trimethylsilane (TMS) plasma nanocoatings in protecting silver nanowires (AgNWs) from degradation and thus to improve their stability. TMS plasma nanocoatings at various thicknesses were deposited onto AgNWs that were prepared on three different substrates, including glass, porous styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS), and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). The experimental results showed that the application of TMS plasma nanocoatings to AgNWs induced little increase, up to ~25%, in their electrical resistance but effectively protected them from degradation. Over a two-month storage period in summer (20–22 °C, 55–70% RH), the resistance of the coated AgNWs on SEBS increased by only ~90%, compared to a substantial increase of ~700% for the uncoated AgNWs. On glass, the resistance of the coated AgNWs increased by ~30%, versus ~190% for the uncoated ones. When stored in a 37 °C phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution for 2 months, the resistance of the coated AgNWs on glass increased by ~130%, while the uncoated AgNWs saw a ~970% rise. Increasing the TMS plasma nanocoating thickness further improved the conductivity stability of the AgNWs. The nanocoatings also transformed the AgNWs’ surfaces from hydrophilic to hydrophobic without significantly affecting their optical transparency. These findings demonstrate the potential of TMS plasma nanocoatings in protecting AgNWs from environmental and aqueous degradation, preserving their electrical conductivity and suitability for use in transparent electrodes and wearable electronics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Containing Silicon, Its Inorganic Derivatives, Functional Silanes, and/or Organosilicon Polymers)

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17 pages, 4149 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Silica Modulus on the Activation of Amorphous Wollastonitic Hydraulic Binders with Different Alumina Content: Study of Hydration Reaction and Paste Performance

by Mónica Antunes, Rodrigo Lino Santos, Ricardo Bayão Horta and Rogério Colaço

Materials 2024, 17(13), 3200; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133200 - 30 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 910

Abstract

This study investigates how different sodium silicate SiO₂/Na₂O MS ratios (0.75, 0.9, and 1.2) affect the hydration behavior of amorphous wollastonitic hydraulic (AWH) binders containing various amounts of Al₂O₃ content (4, 7, 10, and 12%wt). The effects of and interaction between the MS ratio of the activator and the Al₂O₃ content of the sample on the hydration reaction and paste performance were investigated. The reaction was followed by calorimetry, and the pastes’ compressive strength performances were tested at different curing times (2, 7, and 28 days). The hydrated pastes were characterized by FTIR, thermogravimetry analysis, and X-ray diffraction. The calorimetric results show that a higher Al₂O₃ cContent and a higher MS ratio result in a longer induction period. In terms of paste performance, an increase of the Al₂O₃ coupled with an activation with a 1.2 MS ratio results in a lower compressive strength after 28 days of hydration; the results range from 76 to 52 MPa. A decrease of the MS ratio to 0.9 allowed the obtention of a narrower range of results, from 76 to 69 MPa. Even though a decrease of the MS ratio to 0.75 led to higher hydration kinetics and high compressive strength results at early ages, at 28 days of curing, a decrease in compressive strength was observed. This may be a consequence of the fast kinetic of the mixture, since the rapid growth of hydration products may inhibit the dissolution at later ages and increase the porosity of the paste. Moreover, the high Al intake in the hydration product, facilitated by the high sodium content of the activator, promotes the formation of a higher number of calcium aluminate silicate hydrate structures (C-A-S-H) to the detriment of calcium silicate hydrate structures (C-S-H), decreasing the compressive strength of the samples. The TGA results indicate that the samples hydrated with the MS075 solution resulted in a higher number of hydrated products at early ages, while the samples hydrated with the MS09 and MS1.2 solutions exhibit a steady increase with curing time. Hence, an equilibrium in the hydration kinetic promoted by Si saturation–undersaturation appears to be fundamental in this system, which is influenced by both the MS ratio and the Al(OH)⁴⁻ content in solution. The results of this study suggest that for this type of binder, optimal performance can be achieved by decreasing the MS ratio to 0.9. This composition allows for a controlled kinetic and overall higher compressive strength results in pastes produced with this AWH precursor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Containing Silicon, Its Inorganic Derivatives, Functional Silanes, and/or Organosilicon Polymers)

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15 pages, 5983 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing the Thermal Resistance of UV-Curable Resin Using (3-Thiopropyl)polysilsesquioxane

by Daria Pakuła, Bogna Sztorch, Monika Topa-Skwarczyńska, Karolina Gałuszka, Joanna Ortyl, Bogdan Marciniec and Robert E. Przekop

Materials 2024, 17(10), 2219; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102219 - 8 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1349

Abstract

This study delineates a methodology for the preparation of new composites based on a photocurable urethane-acrylate resin, which has been modified with (3-thiopropyl)polysilsesquioxane (SSQ-SH). The organosilicon compound combines fully enclosed cage structures and incompletely condensed silanols (a mixture of random structures) obtained through the hydrolytic condensation of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane. This process involves a thiol-ene “click” reaction between SSQ-SH and a commercially available resin (Ebecryl 1271^®) in the presence of the photoinitiator DMPA, resulting in composites with significantly changed thermal properties. Various tests were conducted, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transmittance infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (Photo-DSC), and photoreological measurement mechanical property, and water contact angle (WCA) tests. The modification of resin with SSQ-SH increased the temperature of 1% and 5% mass loss compared to the reference (for 50 wt% SSQ-SH, T_5% was 310.8 °C, an increase of 20.4 °C). A composition containing 50 wt% of SSQ-SH crosslinked faster than the reference resin, a phenomenon confirmed by photorheological tests. This research highlights the potential of new composite materials in coating applications across diverse industries. The modification of resin with SSQ-SH not only enhances thermal properties but also introduces a host of functional improvements, thereby elevating the performance of the resulting coatings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Containing Silicon, Its Inorganic Derivatives, Functional Silanes, and/or Organosilicon Polymers)

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16 pages, 4330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Talc on the Properties of Silicone Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

by Adrian Krzysztof Antosik, Artur Grajczyk, Marzena Półka, Magdalena Zdanowicz, John Halpin and Marcin Bartkowiak

Materials 2024, 17(3), 708; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030708 - 1 Feb 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1466

Abstract

The article describes new silicone self-adhesive adhesives modified with the addition of talc. The obtained self-adhesive materials were characterized to determine their adhesive properties (adhesion, cohesion, and adhesion) and functional properties (pot life of the composition, shrinkage, and thermal properties of adhesives). Novel materials exhibited high thermal resistance above 225 °C while maintaining or slightly reducing other values (adhesion, cohesion, shrinkage, and tack). Selected composition: T 0.1 was used to prepare self-adhesives in industrial-scale production. Moreover, conducted test results revealed that the addition of talc delayed the thermal decomposition of the adhesive and provided reduced intensity of smoke emissions during combustion as well as the flammability of the adhesive layer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Containing Silicon, Its Inorganic Derivatives, Functional Silanes, and/or Organosilicon Polymers)

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Review

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19 pages, 2988 KiB

Open AccessReview

Factors Determining Unique Thermal Resistance and Surface Properties of Silicone-Containing Composites

by Maria Zielecka and Anna Rabajczyk

Materials 2024, 17(24), 6088; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17246088 - 13 Dec 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 941

Abstract

This review discusses the key factors influencing the exceptional thermal resistance and surface properties of silicone-containing composites. Silicone polymers, known for their excellent chemical and physical properties, are widely used in a number of innovative products. In order to make silicone composites suitable for innovative applications, it is essential to ensure that they have both very good thermal resistance and superhydrophobic properties. Identification of the key factors influencing these properties enables the use of these composites in coatings, electronics and photovoltaic panels. The discussion includes the role of organosilicon polymer structures and the incorporation of micro- and nanoadditives to enhance the performance of these materials. Different methods for the modification and production of silicone composites are analyzed, with an emphasis on achieving thermal stability and surface superhydrophobicity simultaneously. The review highlights the growing demand for silicone-based coatings due to technological advances and environmental concerns. Furthermore, the role of surface modification and hierarchical surface structures in achieving these unique properties is discussed, as well as the potential applications and challenges in the development of next-generation silicone-containing materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials Containing Silicon, Its Inorganic Derivatives, Functional Silanes, and/or Organosilicon Polymers)

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