Amphiphilic telechelics incorporating polyhedraloligosilsesquioxane (POSS)
synthesized by direct urethane linkage between the diol end groups of
polyethylene glycol (PEG) homopolymers and the monoisocyanate group of
POSS macromers. The hydrophobicity of the amphiphilic telechelics can be
varied by using PEG homopolymers of increasing MW, providing for control
over molecular architecture by hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance. Methods
for synthesizing the amphiphilic telechelics and their use as
surfactants, thickening agents, additives to plastic such as
PMMA'(Plexiglass), epoxyadhesives for improving their properties are also
disclosed.