Poly(N-vinylimidazole)-l-Poly(tetrahydrofuran) Amphiphilic Conetworks and Gels: Synthesis, Characterization, Thermal and Swelling Behavior

Self‐Sealing and Puncture Resistant Breathable Membranes for Water‐Evaporation Applications

“…The plant Aristolochia macrophylla , a North American liana, has a mechanism to mechanically close defects. The self-sealing membrane consisted of a waterproof and breathable, non-porous poly(ether ester) multi-block copolymer membrane (PEE; Sympatex membrane) [ 2,22 ] onto which an amphiphilic polymer co-network (APCN) [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] was polymerized. Inspired by this phenomenon, Speck and co-workers developed an airtight pneumatic membrane (as used, e.g., in infl atable boats) that is capable to close punctures by the expansion of a polyurethane-foam.…”

“…The self-sealing membrane consisted of a waterproof and breathable, non-porous poly(ether ester) multi-block copolymer membrane (PEE; Sympatex membrane) [ 2,22 ] onto which an amphiphilic polymer co-network (APCN) [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] was polymerized. The self-sealing membrane consisted of a waterproof and breathable, non-porous poly(ether ester) multi-block copolymer membrane (PEE; Sympatex membrane) [ 2,22 ] onto which an amphiphilic polymer co-network (APCN) [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] was polymerized.…”

Wide Bicontinuous Compositional Windows from Co-Networks Made with Telechelic Macromonomers

“…42,43 Later studies confirmed that the presence of random cross-links frustrates the formation of highly ordered phases, 44 resulting in disordered bicontinuous structures under appropriate conditions. 45,46,47,48 However, these studies have relied on random co-polymerization of monomers with a telechelic macromonomer as a cross-linker, leading to uncontrolled network architectures. 45,46,47,48,49 Furthermore, bicontinuity has most commonly been established through measurements of the swelling ratios in water and non-polar solvents, which can be complicated to interpret due to the possibility for solvent-induced structural rearrangements.…”

“…45,46,47,48 However, these studies have relied on random co-polymerization of monomers with a telechelic macromonomer as a cross-linker, leading to uncontrolled network architectures. 45,46,47,48,49 Furthermore, bicontinuity has most commonly been established through measurements of the swelling ratios in water and non-polar solvents, which can be complicated to interpret due to the possibility for solvent-induced structural rearrangements. 45,46,47,48 Other networks use block copolymers of various lengths to achieve a more defined architecture, yet these studies still rely heavily on swelling or AFM for their morphology characterization.…”

“…45,46,47,48,49 Furthermore, bicontinuity has most commonly been established through measurements of the swelling ratios in water and non-polar solvents, which can be complicated to interpret due to the possibility for solvent-induced structural rearrangements. 45,46,47,48 Other networks use block copolymers of various lengths to achieve a more defined architecture, yet these studies still rely heavily on swelling or AFM for their morphology characterization. 50,51,52 While these approaches have generated important insights and numerous specific material systems that yield co-continuous structures, a simpler and more universal route that is widely tolerant to variations in temperature, degree of polymerization, interaction strengths, and processing conditions will have broad applications and is expected to provide excellent model systems for fundamental investigations.…”