Semibatch monomer addition as a general method to tune and enhance the mechanics of polymer networks via loop-defect control
Controlling the molecular structure of amorphous cross-linked polymeric materials is a longstanding challenge. Herein, we disclose a general strategy for precise tuning of loop defects in covalent polymer gel networks. This "loop control" is achieved through a simple semibatch monomer addi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
National Academy of Sciences
2018
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/113239 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9604-7764 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8289-8525 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7533-4708 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7374-8680 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7272-7140 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9157-6491 |
| Summary: | Controlling the molecular structure of amorphous cross-linked polymeric materials is a longstanding challenge. Herein, we disclose a general strategy for precise tuning of loop defects in covalent polymer gel networks. This "loop control" is achieved through a simple semibatch monomer addition protocol that can be applied to a broad range of network-forming reactions. By controlling loop defects, we demonstrate that with the same set of material precursors it is possible to tune and in several cases substantially improve network connectivity and mechanical properties (e.g., ∼600% increase in shear storage modulus). We believe that the concept of loop control via continuous reagent addition could find broad application in the synthesis of academically and industrially important cross-linked polymeric materials, such as resins and gels. |
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