Supramolecular interactions may hold the key to the development of elastomers with a tailored elastic response and improved mechanics, such as observed in the muscle protein titin. Biological systems illustrate the power of non-covalent interactions to mediate assembly phenomena, responsiveness, and mechanical enhancement. We have developed supramolecular elastomers and interpenetrating network systems that probe the interplay of non-covalent and covalent interactions in structural organization and mechanical response. In this research, concepts of interfacial control of self-assembly, composition, and dynamics as it relates to mechanical behavior are examined. Variations in non-covalent interaction strength and network regularity are also highlighted as handles to tune dynamic response and morphology. Most recently, we have utilized metal-ligand coordination chemistry as an avenue for mimicking gradients of hard and soft mechanics to achieve structures capable of absorbing and dissipating large amounts of energy, where the local concentration of coordination crosslinks can be introduced via the application of a competitive ligand down the length of the film. These changes in crosslink density can be used to impart shifts in local mechanics, thus accessing a tunable material platform for controlling self-assembly and interaction localization.

Biologically-inspired supramolecular systems: architecture and mechanics

2019 Spring National Meeting

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