Recently a hybrid material was synthesised by scientists from IISER combining polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and diphenylalanine. What is the special property of this hybrid ? 

It is an organic-inorganic molecular hybrid material which is fire and rust resistant.

Both POSS and diphenylalanine are naturally water repelling, and when they are combined together the hydrophobic nature further gets enhanced.
The POSS has unique properties such as high thermal stability and fire retarding ability.

The hybrid material is colourless and does not react with metal.

It also inhibits bacterial growth and make coated material such as wood or paper fire and flame proof.
Nails coated with the material can resist corrosion even when treated with highly corrosive aqueous solution of sodium chloride, sodium bromide, potassium chloride and hydrochloric acid.
It also increases the mechanical strength of the coated paper appreciably. Paper or other materials coated with it can behave similar to the lotus leaf and keep the

surface clean and completely water-proof

By: kamaljeet kaur