Though the structures and properties of end-linked polymer networks have attracted theoretical and experimental interest for nearly a century, a direct method for quantification of cyclic, primary loop junctions in real materials has remained elusive. This presentation will discuss our efforts towards development of a general methodology for quantification of cyclic network imperfections. A new class of responsive polymer networks constructed via Diels-Alder cycloaddition between a multi-functional tetrazine derivative and norbornene-telechelic polyethylene(glycol) (PEG) is described. These materials decompose in response to a chemical stimulus to yield a tractable set of degradation products whose ratios are defined by the numbers of primary loops and unreacted chains in the parent network. We use these materials to probe classical questions in end-linking polymerization chemistry. The concepts and techniques presented here are broadly applicable to the characterization of fundamental structures of end-linked polymers and other complex macromolecular architectures.

Counting primary loops in polymer networks

245th National Meeting (2013)

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