Changes in block polymer architecture directly impact phase behavior and thus the properties of the bulk material. For example, while ordered ABA triblocks may behave as tough plastics or elastomers, ordered AB diblocks of a similar compositions have little tensile strength. This difference is due to the ability of individual triblock polymer chains to bridge multiple domains. For the same reasons, linear -(AB)<sub>n</sub>- multiblock polymers display even greater toughness than ABA triblocks. However, linear multiblock polymers prepared by coupling necessarily have larger molecular weights and higher viscosities than their parent prepolymers, which can limit their processability. To combat this problem, we have synthesized linear redox responsive block polymers that can be reversibly reconfigured from a triblock to diblock to multiblock over multiple cycles. Using a small library of samples, we study the role embedded dynamic bonds play in influencing the phase behavior, mechanical, and rheological properties of linear block polymers in the bulk. Finally, we also discuss the synthesis of non-linear (branched, brush, and comb) architectures with reconfigurable bonds.

Convenient synthesis of redox responsive block polymers

256th National Meeting (2018)

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