The behavior of single chains is integral to the foundation of polymer science, and yet a clear and convincing image of single chains in a bulk polymer system has not been captured to our knowledge. For bottlebrush polymers, understanding their conformation in the bulk is especially important because their extended backbones may explain their self-assembly and mechanical properties that have been attractive for many applications. In this study, we use single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) to image single fluorescently-labeled bottlebrush polymers blended with an unlabeled linear polymer melt. By fitting these images to a wormlike chain model, we are able to accurately and directly measure the persistence length of the backbone for the first time. We synthesize and measure bottlebrush polymers with several side chain lengths and grafting densities. From this data, we extract key scaling relationships that relate molecular architecture to conformation, and we discuss the underlying physics behind these scaling laws.

Visualizing bottlebrush polymers and quantifying their rigidity in the melt using super-resolution microscopy

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.