ABSTRACT
Medical implants are ubiquitous in clinical settings, and their rate of success is determined by their biocompatibility, which is in turn affected by its surface properties. Being constituents of nanocomposite polymers, the organic–inorganic nature of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) molecules confers thermal resistance and improves the overall mechanical property of the polymer. In addition to improving the bulk properties and its stability in various conditions, the inclusion of POSS into polymers alters the surface properties of the material. It was initially postulated that incorporating POSS into poly(carbonate-urea) urethane would strengthen the constituent components, thereby increasing the degradative resistance of the nanocomposite. POSS–poly(carbonate-urea) urethane is nonbiodegradable, making it suitable for use as scaffolds for implants as well as coatings for medical devices. With the increasing popularity of combining nanotechnology with medicine, it is also foreseeable that nanotechnology-based techniques of manufacturing and coating would feature prominently in design considerations.
