Thermoresponsive linear and branched polymer networks with distinct primary macromolecular architecture were synthesized using RAFT polymerization and thiol-Michael chemistry. These polymer networks were crosslinked with dynamic thiol-Maleimide linkages on the basis of small molecular kinetic studies for reversible exchanges of different thiol-Maleimide adducts. RAFT polymerization enables tuning of degree of polymerization and macromolecular architecture. The effect of branching, crosslinkers density, and degree of polymerization on mechanical and dynamic properties were evaluated. These RAFT based polymeric materials are elastic in nature and show significant dynamic properties such as self-healing and malleability in response to thermal stimulus (90 °C) due to dynamic thiol-Maleimide linkages. Comparable materials synthesized by free radical polymerization show lower healing properties compared to RAFT based materials. RAFT based materials with dynamic linkages also have significantly higher dynamic properties compared to materials with static linkages. Additionally, these materials have creep resistance due to minimal exchange in the thiol-Maleimide linkages at ambient conditions

Utilizing RAFT polymerization and dynamic thiol-Michael chemistry for tunable thermoresponsive dynamic polymer networks

2019 Spring National Meeting

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