Effect of crosslink dynamics on the material properties of thermoreversible networks

ORGN 713

David M. Loveless, dml8@duke.edu, Wayne C. Yount, wcy2@duke.edu, and Stephen L. Craig, stephen.craig@duke.edu. Department of Chemistry, Duke University, French Family Science Center, Box 90346, Durham, NC 27708
Poly(4-vinylpyridine) was reversibly crosslinked with bis(pincer–metal) molecules to form reversible gels through metal–pyridine coordination. The dynamics of the crosslink were altered independently of the thermodynamics of the interaction. This orthogonal control of dynamics allows an investigation of the role dynamics has in affecting the material properties of a self–assembled reversible gel. The rheological properties of these materials are reported here, with particular emphasis on the conditions under which the kinetics of crosslink exchange impact the mechanical properties of the bulk material.