Evaluation of the Chemical, Morphological and Dielectric Properties of Supramolecular Networks Consisting of Polyethylene Glycol Polyrotaxanes and Polystyrene/Semi‐Rotaxane with Hydroxypropyl‐β‐Cyclodextrins

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of 5, 10, and 15 wt% of polystyrene/ hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrins (PS/HPβCD) semi‐rotaxane (SR) incorporation in the polyethylene glycol/hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrins polyrotaxane (PEG/HPβCD) matrix is investigated. The changes of physico‐chemical, morphological, and dielectric properties of the composite materials were evaluated and compared to those of the pure crosslinked film. Scanning electron microscopy attests formation of porous film, whose average size diameters increase with the concentration of PS/HPβCD SR in the composite materials. The type V sorption/desorption isotherms confirm the microporous morphology of the films surfaces. Additionally, the lower water sorption capacity certifies the hydrophobic character of surfaces that is also validated by contact angle measurements. The synthesis of such composite materials is further proved by their increased thermal stability compared to the pure crosslinked film. Analyzing the effect of PS/HPβCD SR concentration to the properties of the composite materials observes that the 5 wt% generates the film with improved physical, morphological, and dielectric properties.

Synthesis, Properties and Adsorption Kinetic Study of New Cross-Linked Composite Materials Based on Polyethylene Glycol Polyrotaxane and Polyisoprene/Semi-Rotaxane

“…After the swelling process, the pores values of films 2 and 3 were found to be 0.036 and 0.044 µm, respectively. This result indicated that with the increasing concentration of PI/HPβCD in the matrix, the porosity increases following the same trend identified in the case of the polystyrene/semi-rotaxane composite films [11]. These findings could be attributed to either the conformational changes in the polyrotaxanes as a result of their physical interactions or to the increased crystallinity generated via the PI chains, which was also found in the WAXS analysis.…”

“…In addition, the density of the pores increases with increasing concentration of PI/HPβCD SR in the matrix. The average pore sizes of the composite materials were estimated using the image J analysis software and the values were obtained after a statistical correction was applied [ 11 ]. The average pore diameters of the composite materials 2 and 3 before swelling were found to be 0.020 and 0.038 μm, respectively.…”

“…Each film was wiped with filter paper to remove the solvent, and then the samples weights were estimated until a constant mass was obtained. The swelling ratio was calculated using the method that we previously reported [ 11 ]. Atomic force microscopy was employed to analyze the microstructure and the roughness parameters of the composite materials.…”

“…Therefore, when these materials are exposed to an external stress stimulus, the cross-linked junctions can slide along the polymer chain like a “pulley”, which is reflected in the enhancement of the mechanical properties [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Additionally, this intrinsic mobility of the cross-linked junctions allows for achieving uniform stress dispensation and actuation, which is why they are recommended for a variety of applications [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. To date, the most commonly designed slide-ring supramolecular networks employed the use of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and α-cyclodextrins (α-CD) [ 15 ].…”

Thermal and Dielectric Investigations of Polystyrene Nanoparticles as a Viable Platform—Toward the Next Generation of Fillers for Nanocomposites

“…These effects will be discussed later, in comparison with the corresponding dielectric spectroscopy data. As observed, no crystallization exothermal signal and neither endothermic correlations to the melting temperature are found, revealing that the PS NPs are entirely amorphous polymers [39]. The behavior of measured permittivity, ε , with frequency at room temperature is displayed in Figure 6 for four polystyrene samples.…”