Implications of styrenic triblock copolymer gel mechanics on midblock bridging fraction

Mineart, Kenneth P.; Vallely, Matthew J.; Rankin, Lucas A.; Hill, Duncan M.; Lee, Byeongdu

doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2022.125394

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Regression examples of Equations ( 1) and ( 2) to stress-strain data collected from multiblock TPEGs are included in Figure 16d, and values of G c and G e determined from Figure 16a-c indicate that G c dominates at low ϕ, whereas G e becomes increasingly more important at high ϕ (see the inset of Figure 16d for STN moduli corresponding to ϕ = 30 wt.% for different copolymer architectures). Due to their robust physical networks and ubiquitous applications, the mechanics of TPEGs based primarily on model triblock copolymers have been extensively investigated in independent studies [75][76][77] that frequently report moduli reflecting elastic cross-links and entanglements from the STN model.…”

Section: Thermoplastic Elastomer Gelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fundamental Principles and Emerging Opportunities for Selectively‐Solvated Block Copolymer Networks in Nonpolar Media: A Perspective

McFeaters,

Spontak

2024

Advanced Physics Research

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Block polymers remain an extensively studied class of macromolecules due to their ability to self‐organize spontaneously as a result of microphase separation into a variety of ordered nanostructures, depending on the number of contiguous sequences (“blocks”) present and their sequential arrangement. These polymers are classified as multifunctional since they exhibit two or more different property sets during application. In this work, the focus is on bicomponent block copolymers composed of soft and hard segments arranged as linear triblock or higher‐order multiblock copolymers and possessing the properties of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Of particular interest are selectively‐solvated TPEs, designated as TPE gels (TPEGs), with precisely‐ and composition‐tunable properties. An important aspect of TPEs and their TPEG analogs is their elasticity, which reflects the ability of the soft block(s) to form a contiguous molecular network connected by dispersed microdomains composed of the hard block. Here, the origins of microphase separation and network formation in styrenic TPEs and TPEGs are explored, and experimental, theoretical, and simulation results are examined to elucidate chemistry‐structure‐property‐processing (CSPP) relationships in these self‐networking materials. Once such relationships are established, several unconventional technologies that can directly benefit from TPEGs, along with TPEGs fabricated from TPEs possessing different chemical moieties, are likewise considered.

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Section: Thermoplastic Elastomer Gelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fundamental Principles and Emerging Opportunities for Selectively‐Solvated Block Copolymer Networks in Nonpolar Media: A Perspective

McFeaters,

Spontak

2024

Advanced Physics Research

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“…materials, referred to here as TPE gels (or TPEGs), are not limited by the chemistry-specific plateau modulus of the parent TPE and possess exquisitely composition-tunable mechanical properties. [8][9][10][11] For this reason, they are suitable for use not only in conventional technologies requiring media that provide vibration dampening or ballistic dissipation 12 but also as flexible electronics, 13 dielectric elastomers, 14,15 microfluidic substrates, 16 and shape-memory polymers. 17,18 Most commercial TPEs are designed with polystyrene (S) endblocks and a polydiene or polyolefin midblock.…”

Section: New Conceptsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tunable thermoplastic elastomer gels derived from controlled-distribution triblock copolymers with crystallizable endblocks

Hames,

Balsbough,

Yan

et al. 2023

Mater. Horiz.

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“…20,21 The selective swelling of the rubbery block increases the distance between PS end-block domains, affecting the ratio of bridge-loop bonds. 22,23 In addition, block copolymer gels show a decrease in tensile strength as a function of solvent concentration. 3,21 These limitations can make it difficult to use block copolymer gels in practical electroactive applications.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the addition of high concentrations of a solvent to obtain a polymer gel potentially reduces the mechanical stability of the material, reflecting in the reduction of their maximum strain at rupture. , The selective swelling of the rubbery block increases the distance between PS end-block domains, affecting the ratio of bridge-loop bonds. , In addition, block copolymer gels show a decrease in tensile strength as a function of solvent concentration. , These limitations can make it difficult to use block copolymer gels in practical electroactive applications. Some proposed strategies involve using special block copolymer structures that can locally crystallize in the midblock.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-Performance Block-Copolymer-Based Dielectric Elastomers with Enhanced Mechanical Properties

de Sousa,

Sacramento,

da Silva

et al. 2023

ACS Appl. Polym. Mater.

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Thermoplastic elastomer gels have been highlighted in recent years due to their highly tunable properties, becoming interesting electroactive polymers for the fabrication of dielectric elastomer actuators. These materials are obtained by adding high concentrations of an organic solvent, such as mineral oil, to a block copolymer thermoplastic elastomer. The organic solvent is selective to one of the blocks and, therefore, significantly improves the elastomer flexibility. However, high solvent concentrations tend to reduce the mechanical stability of these materials, restricting future applications. In this work, we aimed to improve the strength and elongation of polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) block copolymer gels by partially substituting mineral oil for a hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin, which has partial miscibility with the rubbery central block. The addition of the resin led to a significant increase in tensile strength and elongation at break (1000 and 1300%, respectively), compared to the thermoplastic elastomer gels containing solely mineral oil and without a significant increase in elastic modulus. The resulting gels show promise for electroactive applications, exhibiting a remarkable mechanical response to an electrical stimulus. The materials also demonstrate large actuation strains under relatively low electric fields, showing superior performance compared to other systems in the literature.

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Implications of styrenic triblock copolymer gel mechanics on midblock bridging fraction

Cited by 5 publications

References 33 publications

Fundamental Principles and Emerging Opportunities for Selectively‐Solvated Block Copolymer Networks in Nonpolar Media: A Perspective

Fundamental Principles and Emerging Opportunities for Selectively‐Solvated Block Copolymer Networks in Nonpolar Media: A Perspective

Tunable thermoplastic elastomer gels derived from controlled-distribution triblock copolymers with crystallizable endblocks

High-Performance Block-Copolymer-Based Dielectric Elastomers with Enhanced Mechanical Properties

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