Project description

In this project vitrimers, random copolymers and block copolymers are synthesized for encapsulation of (nano)particles. The aim is to generate composites with a low organic content, i.e. high degree of filling with inorganic material. The organic material will contribute improved mechanical properties like ductility, while hardness and stiffness should not be strongly affected in comparison to the inorganic fillers. In order to achieve this aim covalently adaptable networks (CANs) based on vitrimers and polymers with thermoreversible bonding Diels-Alder functional groups will be synthesized. By varying the chemical composition the processing temperature can be adjusted over a  large scale. By varying the copolymer’s composition the thermal properties and the locations of functionalization by the bonding motifs can be controlled. The functionalized polymers and vitrimers will be used to assemble nanoparticles into agglomerates also on higher hierarchical levels (Figure 1).

Fig. 1: Nanoparticle (grey)/oligomer (blue) composites, embedded in covalently adaptable networks.

 

 

Project leader
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Volker Abetz,
UHH
Contact
 Keywords

self-assembly

nanocomposite

               mechanics                         copolymer

vitrimer                       
                           covalently adaptable network (CAN)

Publications

1. M. Thiessen and V. Abetz: Influence of the Glass Transition Temperature and the Density of Crosslinking Groups on the Reversibility of Diels-Alder Polymer Networks. Polymers 13, 8, 1189 (2021)
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13081189 open access

2. P. Haida and V. Abetz: Acid-Mediated Autocatalysis in Vinylogous Urethane Vitrimer. Macromol. Rapid Commun. 41, 2000273 (2020)
https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.202000273 open access

... and more on the list of publications.

 


open as PDF.