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Rheological studies on polymer networks with static and dynamic crosslinks

Polymer Journal volume 53, pages 1073–1082 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

The three-dimensional structures of polymer networks are formed through two types of crosslinks: static and dynamic. Although the characteristics of crosslinks strongly influence the rheological properties of polymer networks, the understanding of the molecular origin of these properties remains incomplete owing to structural complexity. The relationship between the structure and dynamics of polymer networks and their rheological behavior can be elucidated based on multiple experimental methods. From this viewpoint, this review introduces rheological studies on static and dynamic polymer networks. Investigations of the nonlinear elastic behaviors of model static networks (Tetra gels) through general biaxial stretching revealed that a cross-effect of strains in different directions is present, even in networks without defects, which is not considered in conventional molecular models. Linear viscoelastic and spectroscopic studies on dynamic networks (host–guest gels and hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethane) have shown that conventional molecular models are not suitable for describing rheological properties. Dynamic heterogeneities, such as the different mobilities of rotaxane-like crosslinks and micelles, strongly influence the rheological properties. These results demonstrate the remaining issues to be investigated to obtain a molecular understanding of the rheological properties of polymer networks.

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Acknowledgements

I thanks to Profs. Sakai and Chung of The University of Tokyo for supervision and Prof. Urayama of Kyoto Institute of Technology and Profs. Inoue, Urakawa, Harada, Takashima, and Nakahata of Osaka University for collaborations. I also thanks to Dr. Kashiwagi and Mrs. Ohnishi of Osaka University for their assistance with experiments. This work was partly supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) through a Grant-in-Aid for Early Career Scientists (grant number: 20K15338).

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  1. Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan

    Takuya Katashima

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Katashima, T. Rheological studies on polymer networks with static and dynamic crosslinks. Polym J 53, 1073–1082 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-021-00505-y

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