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Published on: January 19, 2016
Ambient Environment Adaptive Elastomer Constructed by Microphase Separation and Segment Complexation of Triblock
Weijie Wang1, Caihong Zhang1, Hao Huang1
1State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Center for Advanced Low-dimension Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Elastomers with environmental adaption have attracted considerable attention for advanced applications in various areas. Here, we fabricate an ambient environment adaptive elastomer by assembling triblock copolymers polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid)-b-polystyrene (SAS) and polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polystyrene (SES). Owing to the microphase separation of triblock polymers and hydrogen-bonding complexation of their middle segments, the SAS/SES complex presents dichotomy of vitrified hard PS domains and soft PAA/PEO domains, which presents major relaxation transition in the temperature zone 10-30 °C and relative humidity (RH) 40-60%. The SAS/SES elastomer presents quick adaption to the ambient environment change with temperature and humidity coupling. Moreover, after a loading-unloading cycle training, the SAS/SES elastomer exhibits domain orientation, low energy dissipation, high recovery ratio, and distinct strain stiffening compared with the pristine complex. The SAS/SES elastomer has potential to be used as a sensing and adaption component for complicated intelligent systems.
