Abstract: A method of forming a coating comprising the steps of dissolving an silsesquioxane (e.g., one that is primarily a cage compound with 8, 10, 12, 14 or related complete cages or with partially condensed cages containing primarily Si(O)4 units in the cage) in a solvent to form an silsesquioxane solution; introducing (e.g., dissolving) an additive in the solution (e.g., the additive being selected from a rare earth compound, an acid, an organic moiety, a precious metal or compound thereof, a transition metal compound, or any combination thereof, or any of their ionic constituents); and optionally mixing a diluent with the solution to form a coating that is applied to a substrate, wherein the resulting coating forms crosslinks between resulting pendant Si(OH)x groups and a substrate surface. The present invention also contemplates coatings and coated articles consistent with the present teachings.

Abstract: A multi-functional silsesquioxane, method of making the same, and coatings incorporating the same, including a polyhedral silsesquioxane including at least one first face and at least one second face that is spaced apart from the at least one first face; at least one first functionality bonded to the at least one first face; and at least one second functionality different from the first functionality, and being bonded to the at least one second face. In one particular respect, silica for the silsesquioxane may be derived from rice hull ash via an octa(tetramethylammonium)silsesquioxane octaanion.

Abstract: A multi-functional silsesquioxane, method of making the same, and coatings incorporating the same, including a polyhedral silsesquioxane including at least one first face and at least one second face that is spaced apart from the at least one first face; at least one first functionality bonded to the at least one first face; and at least one second functionality different from the first functionality, and being bonded to the at least one second face. In one particular respect, silica for the silsesquioxane may be derived from rice hull ash via an octa(tetramethylammonium)silsesquioxane octaani{dot over (o)}n.