Revealing the supramolecular nature of side-chain terpyridine-functionalized polymer networks

Int J Mol Sci. 2015 Jan 5;16(1):990-1007. doi: 10.3390/ijms16010990.

Abstract

Nowadays, finely controlling the mechanical properties of polymeric materials is possible by incorporating supramolecular motifs into their architecture. In this context, the synthesis of a side-chain terpyridine-functionalized poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) is reported via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. By addition of transition metal ions, concentrated aqueous solutions of this polymer turn into metallo-supramolecular hydrogels whose dynamic mechanical properties are investigated by rotational rheometry. Hence, the possibility for the material to relax mechanical constrains via dissociation of transient cross-links is brought into light. In addition, the complex phenomena occurring under large oscillatory shear are interpreted in the context of transient networks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cobalt / chemistry
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Methacrylates / chemical synthesis
  • Methacrylates / chemistry*
  • Nylons / chemical synthesis
  • Nylons / chemistry*
  • Polymerization
  • Pyridines / chemistry

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • Methacrylates
  • Nylons
  • Pyridines
  • poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)
  • Cobalt
  • pyridine