The aim of this work is to contribute to the understanding of the relationship between the timescales of molecular processes in ionomers and that of macroscale autonomous healing. For this purpose, poly(butyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid) model ionomers with varying fractions of cobalt counter ions were used. Three temperature dependent timescales were quantified and linked: (i) the terminal relaxation time (td) as determined by creep relaxation experiments; (ii) the supramolecular relaxation timescale (τ) as determined by frequency sweeps in oscillatory shear rheology; and (iii) the macroscopic healing timescale (theal) as obtained by quantifying the time for full interfacial strength recovery for two ionomer surfaces brought in contact. Using the temperature dependent values of td, τ, and theal, the activation energies of the ionic cluster formation, the flow of the polymer backbone, and the interfacial recovery respectively, were calculated. It was found that the kinetics of healing closely follows the timescales of network and cluster formation.
This paper was originally published in Polymers Journal 69 (2015) Pages 228 - 232
Richard Hoogenboom leads the Supramolecular Chemistry Group in the Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry at Ghent University
Researchers have improved the selectivity of a copper catalyst for converting carbon dioxide by using ionomers to alter the surrounding environment.
Korean researchers investigate degradation of commercial materials in soil and seawater
functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles or SPIONs capture plastic waste particles from contaminated water
In association with Bruker, Materials Today is delighted to present a range of freely accessible articles.