Poly(siloxane)s, Poly(silazane)s and Poly(carbosiloxane)s

Siloxane and carbosiloxane polymers are found in a vast range of applications, from coating materials to biomedical implants, owing to their unique properties. Their robust thermal and chemical stabilities, biocompatibility and excellent interfacial characteristics make them ideal candidates for the development of functionalized polymers and advanced materials. This chapter discusses the physical and chemical properties of siloxane polymers, as well as provides a brief overview of traditional synthetic methods for these materials. Recent developments in preparing functionalized siloxanes and siloxane derivatives, such as silphenylenes, carbosiloxanes, and polysilanes, are also discussed in detail. Processing and characterization of these materials show that they hold a vast amount of potential and offer alternatives to traditional polyolefin polymers. An outlook on a variety of applications of these kinds of functionalized polymers, such as high temperature stable lubricants, coating materials, and preceramic precursors, highlights their importance in the development of new materials.