Scientists from Princeton and Cornell Universities and researchers from Momentive Performance Materials have been jointly featured in an article, which is about new iron hydrosilylation technology in the Science magazine in the February 3, 2012 issue.
The global silicones and advanced materials company, Momentive as well as Princeton and Cornell Universities have received six patent applications for the research project.
Hydrosilylation reaction is most commonly used in the production of silane-based and silicone products. This reaction is a major cross-linking mechanism and is catalyzed by platinum in order to enhance the curing of silicone rubbers, silicone release coatings and room temperature vulcanizates (RTV).
Professor Paul Chirik and Momentive researchers began their combined research work at Cornell University during 2008 for identifying potential options to the present precious metal hydrosilylation catalyst like platinum. Dr. Chirik and his team continue this research at Princeton University.
According to Dr. Chirik, this research project is a good illustration of how industry and academia join to make new solutions for previous problems and can work on basic research. It is a pioneering research, because of an effective base metal catalyst that has the potential for industrially relevant hydrosilylation.
Momentive Performance Materials’ CTO for global Silicones and Quartz Division, Dr. Eric Thaler stated that this technology has the capacity to create a vital impact on many present and future products that are manufactured using hydrosilylations.
The company has not commercialized this project, as it is still in the research stage.
Source: http://www.momentive.com/