Synthesis and curing of hyperbranched poly(triazole)s with click polymerization for improved adhesion strength

Dynamic reversible adhesives based on crosslinking network via Schiff base and Michael addition

It is of practical interest to obtain polymers with complex material properties in a simplified synthetic manner for a broader range of practical applications. In this work, we constructed a dynamic reversible adhesive based on branched polyamine (PA) and p-formylphenyl acrylate (FPA) by simultaneously performing Michael addition reaction and Schiff base reaction. Branched polyamines provide a large number of amino groups as reaction sites that can react with both carbon-carbon double bonds and aldehyde groups. This enables the branched polymeric adhesive system to have a large number of Schiff base bonds within it, an important property of Schiff base bonds is that they are dynamically reversible. This allows us to prepare adhesives with hyperbranched crosslinking networks and recycling properties, and we have verified that FPA-PA adhesives do not exhibit significant fatigue after multiple recycling through the gluing-destruction-gluing process. The resulting FPA-PA adhesives produce tough bonding on multi-substrates such as steel, aluminum, glass, PVC, PTFE, birch and moso bamboo, which exhibited by lap shear strength of 2.4 MPa, 1.7 MPa, 1.4 MPa, 1.3 MPa, 0.4 MPa, 1.6 MPa, and 1.8 MPa, respectively. The feasibility of the synthesis idea of simultaneous Michael addition reaction and Schiff base reaction was demonstrated, as well as the excellent performance and great application potential of FPA-PA adhesives to be recyclable on multi-substrates.

Polytriazole resins toughened by an azide-terminated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (OADTP)

An azido-terminated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) compound, octakis(azidopropyl-3-oxycarbonyl-1-decyl-10-thiopropyl-3-)POSS (OADTP), is synthesized and characterized. POSS-polytriazole (PTA) resins are prepared from an azide, an alkyne monomer, and OADTP. The toughening effect of OADTP on PTA resins is analyzed by impact performance test and electronic microscope characterization, and the thermal performance of resins is measured by thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis. The results show that the addition of the POSS can improve the mechanical properties of PTA resins. The impact strength of POSS-PTA resins first increases and then decreases with the increase in the POSS compound, and the maximum one arrives at 54.8 kJ m−2 which increases by 44.2% as compared to 38 kJ m−2 of the PTA resin. A good thermal stability remains in POSS-PTA resins.

Paintable proteins: biofunctional coatings via covalent incorporation of proteins into a polymer network

Attaching proteins to surfaces while maintaining bioactivity is a promising avenue for developing new functional materials.

High impact polytriazole resins for advanced composites

Three azido-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) macromonomers (ATPEGs) were synthesized from poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) and characterized. The extended polytriazole (EPTA) resins were prepared from the macromonomers, azide and alkyne monomers. Toughening effect of PEGs on polytriazole resins was analyzed by means of mechanical, thermal and electronic microscope characterization. The results show that molecular weight and content of ATPEGs have great influence on the thermal and mechanical properties of cured EPTA resins. The impact strength of cured EPTA resins increases with the increase of the amount and molecular weight of ATPEGs. The flexural strength and heat resistance of cured EPTA resins decrease with the increase of addition amount and molecular weight of ATPEGs. High impact EPTA resins were obtained.

Preparation, Characterization of Propargyl Terminal Polybutadiene and Its Crosslinked Elastomers Properties

Propargyl terminal Polybutadiene (PTPB) was successfully prepared through hydroxyl terminal polybutadiene (HTPB) end-capping modification. The FTIR and ¹³C NMR results indicated that the HTPB terminal hydroxyl was thoroughly replaced and yielded the target product, PTPB, with a theoretical propargyl content of 0.66 mmol g⁻¹. In comparison with HTPB, PTPB has a lower viscosity. Using 1,6-diazide hexane as a curing agent, polytriazole crosslinked polybutadiene (PT_riPB) elastomers with various functional molar ratios (R) were prepared by CuAAC reaction, and the glass transition temperatures of the resultant PT_riPB elastomers were approximately −75 °C, measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), nearly independent of elastomer R values. Mechanical tests indicated, that with the increase in R, the mechanical properties of PT_riPB elastomers exhibit a parabolic dependence on R. In addition, the thermal stability of PT_riPB elastomers were also studied. The findings revealed some fundamental features of polytriazole crosslinking elastomer prepared by CuAAC reaction.

Facile Preparation and Properties of Crosslinked Copolyether Elastomers with 1,2,3-Triazole and Urethane Subunit via Click Polymerization

An azide terminated ethylene oxide-tetrahydrofuran copolymer with urethane segments (ATUPET) as a novel binder pre-polymer, has been prepared through ethylene oxide-tetrahydrofuran random copolymer (PET) end-capping modification via one-pot method. The structure characterization of the modifier has been analyzed by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and GPC. In comparison with PET, ATUPET has a slightly higher viscosity because it has additional hydrogen bonding interaction generated by the urethane in ATUPET. Triazole cross-linked elastomers based on ATUPET with various functional molar ratios were prepared using tripropargylamine as a curing agent and cross-linker. Mechanical properties indicate that the modulus E and tensile strength σ b exhibit a parabolic dependence with the increase in R. At around the stoichiometric ratio, the modulus E and tensile strength σ b reach a maximum and the elongation at break exhibit an acceptable value at the same time. Swelling tests demonstrate that the apparent cross-linking densities (N0) have a maximum value at the stoichiometric ratio. Thermal analysis shows that the ATUPET prepolymer and its polytriazoles elastomers exhibit a satisfactory stability. The results demonstrated that ATUPET might be a promising polymeric binder for future propellant formulations especially in the field of isocyanate-free curing technology.

Progress on Catalytic Systems Used in Click Polymerization

Click polymerization, a powerful synthetic technique to construct polymers with unique structures and advanced functions, is of crucial importance in the areas of polymer and material sciences. A variety of click polymerizations such as azide-alkyne, thiol-yne, amino-yne, and hydroxyl-yne reactions have been established, wherein the catalytic systems play an indispensable role in realizing these highly practical reactions based on triple-bond building blocks, as they directly influence the efficiencies of the click polymerizations and the performances of the resultant polymers. The vital employment of catalysts is reviewed and their developments from innovative discoveries to the eminent position are outlined. Moreover, the challenges and perspectives in this area are also briefly discussed.

Protective Coatings for Aluminum Alloy Based on Hyperbranched 1,4-Polytriazoles

Organic polymers are widely used as coatings and adhesives to metal surfaces, but aluminum is among the most difficult substrates because of rapid oxidative passivation of its surface. Poly(1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles) made by copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition form strongly bonded interfaces with several metal substrates. In this work, a variety of alkyne and azide monomers were explored as precursors to anticorrosion coatings for a standard high-strength aluminum-copper alloy. Monomers of comparatively low valency (diazide and trialkyne) were found to act as superior barriers for electrolyte transfer to the aluminum surface. These materials showed excellent resistance to corrosive pitting due to the combination of three complementary properties: good formation of highly cross-linked films, as observed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry; good adhesion to the aluminum alloy substrate, as shown by pull-off testing; and excellent impermeability, as demonstrated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Reduced shrinkage stress via photo-initiated copper(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition polymerizations of azide-alkyne resins

OBJECTIVES

Polymerization shrinkage stress and factors involved in the stress development such as volumetric shrinkage and modulus were investigated in photo-CuAAC (photo-initiated copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition) polymerization and compared with conventional BisGMA-based methacrylate polymerization for their use as alternative dental resins.

METHODS

Tri-functional alkyne and di-functional azide monomers were synthesized for photo-CuAAC polymerization. Conversion kinetics, stress development and polymerization shrinkage were determined with FTIR spectroscopy, tensometery, and with a linometer, respectively, for CuAAC and BisGMA-based monomer mixtures using a camphorquinone/amine visible light photoinitiator system. Thermo-mechanical properties for the cured polymer matrices were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis and in three-point bending on a universal testing machine. Polymerization kinetics, polymerization shrinkage stress, dynamic volumetric shrinkage, glass transition temperature (T_g), flexural modulus, flexural strength, and flexural toughness were compared between the two different resin systems.

RESULTS

A glassy CuAAC polymer (T_g=62°C) exhibited 15-25% lower flexural modulus of 2.5±0.2GPa and flexural strength of 117±8MPa compared to BisGMA-based polymer (T_g=160°C) but showed considerably higher energy absorption around 7.1MJ×m^-3 without fracture when strained to 11% via three-point bend compared to the flexural toughness of 2.7MJ×m^-3 obtained from BisGMA-based polymer. In contrast to BisGMA-based polymers at 75% functional group conversion, the CuAAC polymerization developed approximately three times lower shrinkage stress with the potential to achieve quantitative conversion under ambient temperature photocuring conditions. Moreover, relatively equivalent dynamic volumetric shrinkage of around 6-7% was observed via both CuAAC and dimethacrylate polymerization, suggesting that the low shrinkage stress of CuAAC polymerization was due to delayed gelation along with slower rate of polymerization and the formation of a more compliant network structure.

SIGNIFICANCE

CuAAC crosslinked networks possessed high toughness and low polymerization shrinkage stress with quantitative conversion, which eliminated obstacles associated with BisGMA-based dental resins including limited conversion, unreacted extractable moieties, brittle failure, and high shrinkage stress.

The use of azide-alkyne click chemistry in recent syntheses and applications of polytriazole-based nanostructured polymers

The rapid development of efficient organic click coupling reactions has significantly facilitated the construction of synthetic polymers with sophisticated branched nanostructures. This Feature Article summarizes the recent progress in the application of efficient copper-catalyzed and copper-free azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC and CuFAAC) reactions in the syntheses of dendrimers, hyperbranched polymers, star polymers, graft polymers, molecular brushes, and cyclic graft polymers. Literature reports on the interesting properties and functions of these polytriazole-based nanostructured polymers are also discussed to illustrate their potential applications as self-healing polymers, adhesives, polymer catalysts, opto-electronic polymer materials and polymer carriers for drug and imaging molecules.

Synthesis of acid-degradable hyperbranched polymers by chain-growth CuAAC polymerization of an AB3 monomer

The first synthesis of acid-degradable hyperbranched polymers using chain-growth CuAAC click polymerization of an AB₃ monomer.

Hyperbranched poly(triazole) with thermal and metal ion dual stimuli-responsiveness

Hyperbranched poly(triazole) bearing oligo(ethylene glycol) terminal groups is dual stimuli-responsive to thermal conditions and metal ions and is capable for the selective absorption of Ag⁺ ion on tuning temperature.

Hyperbranched polymers: advances from synthesis to applications

This review summarizes the advances in hyperbranched polymers from the viewpoint of structure, click synthesis and functionalization towards their applications in the last decade.