Poly(dimethylsiloxane), hydroxy terminated

Polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) is a silicon-basedorganic polymer that is nontoxic, optically clear, inert, and inflammablematerial. It is widely used in heat-resistant lubricants, fire retardants,medical devices, and cosmetics. Polydimethylsiloxane is hydrophobic,cytocompatible, and viscoelastic which can be used to prepare water-repellentcoatings in the textile industry.

PDMS can be used as a precursor in the synthesis of poly(dimethylsiloxane-urethane) elastomers with improved mechanical and thermal properties.

PDMS is a material of choice for ophthalmic applications due to its high mechanical strength, transparency, and oxygen permeability. It can be used as a prepolymer to prepare a glucose permeable interpenetrating network of PDMS and poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide (PNIPAAM). These networks can be used in ophthalmic applications.

PDMS can also be used to synthesize fire and heat-resistant polyurethane-PDMS hybrids. The addition of PDMS provides low flammability and thermal stabilization to polyurethane under pyrolytic conditions.

PDMS is used as an additive to prepare TEOS-based stone protective hybrid crack-free xerogels. The addition of PDMS accelerates the gelling process and helps to achieve effective stone protection.