Technological Evolution of Silicone Oil: From Structural Regulation to Functional Design
The technological breakthrough of silicone oil revolves around molecular structure design. By adjusting the number of silicon oxide chains (n value), precise control of viscosity from 10mPa · s to 200000mPa · s can be achieved; Introducing side chains such as phenyl and fluorine groups can endow silicone oil with characteristics such as radiation resistance and low temperature resistance. For example, phenyl silicone oil is used for LED packaging due to its high refractive index, while fluorosilicone oil is the preferred lubricant for aerospace due to its low surface energy.
Functional design has become a hot topic in research and development. The pH responsive silicone oil developed by Shin Etsu Chemical in Japan can release drugs in the tumor microenvironment; Self repairing silicone oil developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences can automatically repair damage through dynamic covalent bond. These innovations provide new solutions for fields such as smart materials and biomedicine.