Silicic Acid Polycondensates with Cyclic Olefins for Dental Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current silicic acid (hetero)polycondensates do not offer sufficient variability in reactive groups for controlled curing and adhesion properties, limiting their applications in dental and medical fields where specific mechanical and physical properties are required, and they often contain toxic or allergenic monomers.
Innovation Solution
Development of silicic acid (hetero)polycondensates with structures that include multiple reactive groups accessible through thiol-ene polyaddition and ring-opening metathesis polymerization, allowing for graded curing and diverse adhesion mechanisms, and the use of non-stoichiometric reactions to produce materials with tailored properties without toxic monomers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional silicic acid polycondensates are used, then material base is available, but variability in reactive groups for controlled curing and adhesion properties is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The silicic acid polycondensate structure is segmented into distinct functional components: hydrolyzable groups (X) for condensation reactions, organically polymerizable groups (R2 with double bonds) for crosslinking, and cyclic olefin-containing structures for ring-opening metathesis polymerization. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each functional group's reactivity and properties.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the polycondensate molecule are assigned different local qualities through the R1 and R2 substituents. The R1 groups provide hydrolytic condensability while R2 groups provide organically polymerizable functionality. This local differentiation enables controlled curing mechanisms and diverse adhesion properties without requiring entirely different material classes.
Solution Approach 3:
The silicic acid polycondensate is designed as a universal base material that can undergo multiple curing mechanisms (hydrolytic condensation, organic polymerization via double bonds, and ring-opening metathesis polymerization). This multi-functionality allows the same material base to be adapted to various applications requiring different mechanical and physical properties.
2Adaptability or versatility
If materials with specific mechanical and physical properties are developed, then application requirements are met, but the number of material classes and types increases
Solution Approach 1:
Physical and mechanical properties are adjusted by changing parameters of the base polycondensate structure: the ratio of hydrolyzable groups to organically polymerizable groups, the molecular weight, the degree of condensation, and the specific configuration of R1 and R2 groups. These parameter variations allow property tuning within a single material class rather than requiring multiple distinct material classes.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional polycondensates are used, then synthesis is established, but toxic or allergenic monomers may be present in polymeric products
Solution Approach 1:
The synthesis process is designed to completely consume all monomeric starting materials through controlled non-stoichiometric reactions. The polycondensate structure incorporates all reactive groups into the polymer network, extracting and eliminating free monomers that could be toxic or allergenic. The cyclic olefin-containing structures are specifically designed to polymerize completely without leaving residual monomers.
4Productivity
If materials with high reactivity are developed, then curing rate can be controlled, but storage stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The material system is designed with dynamic reactivity control through multiple curing mechanisms with different activation requirements. The hydrolyzable groups, double bonds, and cyclic olefin structures can be activated selectively based on environmental conditions (moisture, UV light, catalyst presence), allowing the system to transition from stable storage to controlled curing as needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting materials provide a range of condensates with adjustable physical properties, enhanced adhesion, and improved safety by eliminating toxic monomers, suitable for various applications in dentistry and medicine, including dental restoratives and bone replacement materials.
Implementation Method 1
The invention relates to silicic acid (hetero)polycondensates... prepared by hydrolysis and condensation from silanes
Implementation Method 2
which are also polymerizable organically, for example via reactive double bonds or cyclic olefin-containing structures
Implementation Method 3
accessible through thiol-ene polyaddition and ring-opening metathesis polymerization
Implementation Method 4
accessible through thiol-ene polyaddition and ring-opening metathesis polymerization
Data Source
AI summary
Silicic acid polycondensates having cyclic olefin-containing structures, method for the production thereof, and use thereof. The invention relates to silicic acid (hetero)polycondensates comprising structural units of formula (1) as follows.