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Synthesis of Programmable Main-chain Liquid-crystalline Elastomers Using a Two-stage Thiol-acrylate Reaction
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Highly Impact-Resistant Block Polymer-Based Thermoplastic Elastomers with an Ionically Functionalized Rubber Phase
Takato Kajita1, Atsushi Noro1,2, Ryoji Oda3
1Department of Molecular & Macromolecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
ACS Omega
|January 31, 2022
Summary
New ionically functionalized elastomers (i-SIS) demonstrate high tensile toughness and excellent impact resistance. These materials, synthesized at scale, show promise as advanced, durable elastomeric solutions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Elastomers with noncovalent bonding groups show high strength but lack impact resistance data.
- Large-scale synthesis of such advanced elastomers has been a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate ionically functionalized elastomers with enhanced mechanical properties, including impact resistance.
- To establish a scalable synthetic route for these novel materials.
Main Methods:
- Ionization of the rubber phase in polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-polystyrene (SIS) to create ionically functionalized elastomers.
- Preparation of elastomers with sodium (i-SIS(Na)) and barium (i-SIS(Ba)) cations.
- Evaluation of tensile toughness, compressive resistance, and impact resistance.
Main Results:
- Synthesized several tens of grams of i-SIS(Na) and i-SIS(Ba) elastomers.
- Achieved high tensile toughness: 520 MJ m⁻³ for i-SIS(Na) and 280 MJ m⁻³ for i-SIS(Ba).
- Demonstrated superior impact resistance for i-SIS(Ba) compared to glass fiber-reinforced plastic.
Conclusions:
- Ionically functionalized elastomers exhibit exceptional tensile toughness and compressive resistance.
- i-SIS(Ba) offers significant advantages in impact protection, surpassing conventional materials.
- Scalable production potential positions these elastomers as next-generation materials.
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