We studied the dynamical properties of a series of mono-dispersed polyisoprenepolymers whose twochain ends wereend-capped with fullerene (C60). These mono-dispersed polymers were synthesized through anionic polymerization of isoprene in hexane solution using a special technique. Forpure polyisoprene without C60, the storage modulus G’ and the loss modulus G’’ displayed an entanglement plateau at high frequencies and a Newtonian-fluid behavior at low frequencies. For C60-end-capped polyisoprene, although italso displayed an entanglement plateau at high frequencies, at low frequencies it was not Newtonian and itsterminal relaxation time was slightly larger than that of pure polymerwith similar molecular weight.In addition, there was significant difference in their tackiness properties. When one piece of polymer was placed on the top of another piece, after ten hours the C60-end-capped polyisoprenewas relatively easy to separate, whilethe pure polyisopreneof the same molecular weight would completely stick together. These results suggested that the traditional reptation process of polymer chains in meltsas well as in interfaceshad been considerably interrupted by the presence of C60-chain-end structure.

Effects of Fullerene Chain Ends on Polymer Reptation

249th National Meeting (2015)

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