RESUMEN
Covalent adaptable networks (CANs) often make use of highly active external catalysts to provide swift exchange of the dynamic chemical bonds. Alternatively, milder species can act as internal catalysts when covalently attached to the matrix and in close proximity to the dynamic bonds. In this context, we introduce the dynamic exchange of phthalate monoesters as a novel chemistry platform for covalent adaptable networks. A low-molecular-weight (MW) model study shows that these monoesters undergo fast transesterification via a dissociative mechanism, caused by internal catalysis of the free carboxylic acid, which reversibly forms an activated phthalic anhydride intermediate. Using this dynamic chemistry, a wide series of CANs with a broad range of properties have been prepared by simply curing a mixture of diols and triols with bifunctional phthalic anhydrides. The dynamic nature of the networks was confirmed via recycling experiments for multiple cycles and via stress relaxation using rheology. The networks proved to be resistant to deformation but showed a marked temperature response in their rheological behavior, related to the swift exchange reactions that have a high activation energy (120 kJ/mol). While densely cross-linked and hydrolytically stable polyester networks with low soluble fractions can be obtained, we found that, by swelling the networks in a hot solvent, a gel-to-sol transition happened, which resulted in the full dissolution of the network.
RESUMEN
Nonreactive additives are widely applied to enhance polymer properties but can leach out of the material over time. In this work, two essentially different fluorinated additives bearing a triazolinedione moiety are synthesized and grafted on several polydiene backbones (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-butadiene, and styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) copolymers), either by dip-coating or by reaction in solution. The resulting polymers are analyzed by contact angle goniometry, size exclusion chromatography, and NMR, infrared, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Independent of the modification procedure, the fluorophilic perfluoroalkyl additive is found at the material surface, thereby yielding a more hydrophobic surface. For SIS thermoplastic elastomers, for example, contact angles up to 125° can be obtained.