Molecular Structure of Foldable Bottlebrush Polymers in Melts

Macromolecules, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 1, 2025

A bottlebrush polymer consists of a long linear backbone densely grafted with many relatively short side chains. widely accepted view is that strong steric repulsion among the highly overlapped chains prestrains backbone, resulting in low extensibility. However, we recently discovered melt polymers incompatible and collapses to reduce interfacial free energy, regardless Despite this discovery, molecular structure these so-called "foldable" their assemblies remains poorly understood. Here, present deterministic relationships architecture, mesoscopic conformation, macroscopic properties foldable polymers. combination scaling theory experiments reveals as chain grafting density decreases, diameter increases, whereas end-to-end distance decreases. These behaviors contradict existing understanding polymers, which assumes are compatible. Since store lengths can be released upon large deformations, they offer way decouple intrinsic stiffness-extensibility trade-off single-network elastomers. findings provide foundational insights into using building blocks for designing soft (bio)materials.

Language: Английский

Bottlebrush Polymers: From Synthesis to Properties and Applications

Macromolecular Rapid Communications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 4, 2025

Abstract Bottlebrush polymers (BBPs) have emerged as a special class of macromolecules composed linear backbone the main chain with densely grafted polymeric side chains. BBPs present many unique properties, such low entanglement, high extension backbone, and extremely plateau shear moduli relative to their analogs due distinct conformational topological characteristics. This review summarizes recent significant advances BBPs, from synthetic methods versatile properties applications in areas super‐soft elastomers, photonic crystals, self‐assembly, friction, biomimetic tissues, bio‐interfacial interactions enhance cell penetration anti‐fouling performance, drug delivery, other emerging (polymer electrolyte, catalyst support, covalent adaptable networks). Meanwhile, molecular dynamic simulations are discussed tool disclose relationship between structures properties. will comprehensively summarize studies on point out direction give prediction application trend, comment future BBPs.

Language: Английский

Tuning mucoadhesion and mucopenetration in self-assembled poly(lactic acid)-block-poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) block copolymer nanoparticles by controlling side-chain lengths

Nanoscale, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 22, 2024

Poly(lactic acid)- co -poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) nanoparticles enable precise control of mucoadhesion and mucopenetration at mucosal interfaces by varying the PEG side chain length, representing a versatile strategy for optimizing nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems.

Language: Английский