Crystal Structure of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsequioxane (POSS) Nano-materials:  A Study by X-ray Diffraction and Electron Microscopy

The crystal structure and morphology of inorganic−organic hybrid POSS nanoparticles, consisting of an inorganic core of silicon and oxygen and outer organic attachments of alkyl groups, has been studied using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. These molecules self-assemble to form a hexagonally packed structure. Alkyl attachments are accommodated within the interstices of the hexagonal lattice. The results have implications for our understanding of the disorder in polymer−POSS nanocomposite materials such as those formed by copolymerization.