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Updated: Jun 29, 2025

Synthesis of Programmable Main-chain Liquid-crystalline Elastomers Using a Two-stage Thiol-acrylate Reaction
Published on: January 19, 2016
Enhancing Adhesion Properties of Commodity Polymers through Thiol-Catechol Connectivities: A Case Study on
Carolin M Schröter1, Lukas D Bangert1, Hans G Börner1
1Department of Chemistry, Laboratory for Organic Synthesis of Functional Systems, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
Segmented block copolymers with adhesive functionality bridges in between are synthesized through the combination of controlled radical polymerization (CRP) and thiol-quinone Michael-polyaddition. CRP provides a set of α,ω-dithiol polystyrenes (PS), which react as telechelics with a low molecular weight bisquinone, resulting in thiol-catechol connectivities (TCCs). By introducing as little as 3 mol % of TCC functionalities, the bonding of the polymer on dry and wet aluminum surfaces is significantly improved while keeping the integrity of the PS segments undisturbed to constitute favorable bulk properties. This improvement is evidenced by reaching up to 3.8 MPa adhesive strength, representing a 600% increase compared to nonfunctional PS.
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