The existence of entanglements—mechanical connections among polymer chains—has been appreciated since 1940. A growing body of evidence suggests that entanglements trapped in polymer networks have been correlated with strength, toughness, and fracture energy enhancement. Their role in biology is no less significant—e.g., in mediating DNA transcription. Despite the ubiquity of polymer entanglements, the topology-property relationships of entanglements remain ill-defined. By merging the fields of supramolecular topology with polymer network chemistry and physics, we investigate the role of trapped entanglements within polymer networks in regards to network toughness and fracture energy. Using phenanthroline complexes, entanglements are installed into polymer networks with the entanglements preserved upon removal of the metal center. Comparing the mechanical properties of these networks with non-templated networks illuminates the role of templated entanglements.

Templating entanglements in polymer networks

ACS Spring 2022

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