Synchronous Control of Cyclic Polymer Sequence/Tacticity/Architecture from One-Pot Monomer Mixtures (Research Topic Area: Polymer Chemistry)
Abstract
Objectives. This project seeks to develop a precision polymer synthesis method that can simultaneously control polymer sequence/topology/tacticity and sequence/topology/architecture, thereby creating unprecedented, highly resolved, and well-defined cyclic multi-block copolymers (cmBCPs) from direct polymerization of one-pot comonomer mixtures under ambient temperature and normal concentration conditions. Centering on this central objective, the work designed is to achieve the following three specific objectives of establishing synchronous control over: monomer sequence and polymer topology; monomer sequence and polymer topology and tacticity; and monomer sequence and polymer architecture. Anticipated exciting outcomes of this project include creation of three novel classes of well-defined cmBCPs as well as their derived physically or dynamically crosslinked adaptive networks and assemblies. Methods. The precision polymer synthesis method to be developed and employed includes key components of (a) thermodynamically and kinetically compounded sequence control in polymerization of monomer mixtures; (b) selective and temporal control in living linear chain growth vs. chain cyclization to control cyclic polymer size and dispersity; (c) chiral catalysts to control stereoselectivity of the polymerization and achieve stereoregular cmBCPs; and (d) cyclic block copolymer morphology-regulated architectures and assemblies as well as thermomechanically activated orthogonal working/healing conditions for dynamically crosslinked cmBCP networks. Significance. The potential impact of the project outcomes is twofold. First, in a broader scientific context, the precision polymer synthesis method that this project is advancing will serve not only the purpose of creating the unique complex adaptive polymer systems designed for this project, but also the entire polymer community as it possesses the potential to synthesize new and advanced polymer structures unattainable by other current methods. Second, the target cmBCPs and their derived networks and assemblies represent a wholly new class of cmBCP-based high-performance thermoplastics and dynamically crosslinked, reprocessable robust thermosets with unique materials properties yet to be uncovered.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 19, 2023
- Source ID
- W911NF2310123
Entities
People
- Eugene Chen
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Colorado State University
- United States Army