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Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Colloids
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A Competing Hydrogen Bonding Pattern to Yield a Thermo-Thickening Supramolecular Polymer
Virgile Ayzac1, Quentin Sallembien1, Matthieu Raynal1
1Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire, Equipe Chimie des Polymères, 75005, Paris, France.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|August 6, 2019
Summary
Competing interactions in ester-bis-urea supramolecular polymers (SPs) lead to complex self-assembly. This study reveals a novel low-temperature SP stabilized by ester-urea hydrogen bonds, alongside two other rod-like structures.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Polymer science
- Materials science
Background:
- Supramolecular polymers (SPs) self-assemble through non-covalent interactions.
- Competing interactions can introduce complexity in SP formation and structure.
- Ester-bis-urea molecules possess both strong urea-based hydrogen bonding and potentially interfering ester groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the self-assembly behavior of ester-bis-urea molecules.
- To identify and characterize different supramolecular polymer structures formed.
- To understand the role of competing interactions in directing self-assembly pathways.
Main Methods:
- Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy
- Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy
- Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
- Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS)
Main Results:
- Three distinct rod-like supramolecular polymer structures were identified.
- A novel low-temperature SP is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between ester and urea groups.
- Heating induces a reversible transition to other SP structures, increasing viscosity.
Conclusions:
- Ester-bis-urea systems exhibit complex self-assembly due to competing interactions.
- A new low-temperature supramolecular polymer structure has been discovered.
- The findings offer insights into controlling SP formation and properties through molecular design.
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