Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes (POSS)-based Hybrid Soft Gels: Molecular Design, Material Advantages and Emerging Applications

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) represent the new frontier in hybrid materials science and engineering due to their well-defined nano-structure and unique dual nature combining material properties from both inorganic siloxane cage and organic groups at the periphery. Recent advances in synthetic chemistry combined with the controlled radical polymerization techniques have significantly influenced the construction of POSS soft gel as emerging biomaterials and beyond. In this review, the most recent development in the design strategies of POSS-based hybrid soft gels are presented with respect to different functions of architectural POSS, including POSS as crosslinker, POSS as end-cap polymer chain, and POSS as pendent group etc. In addition, the insights into the uniqueness of POSS in microstructure and their different organic substituents in the enhancement of the hydrogel performance are illustrated. These sophisticated materials with multiple functions, oriented towards advanced therapeutic ap...