title: Physical organic chemistry of supramolecular polymers.
abstract: Unlike the case of traditional covalent polymers, the entanglements that determine properties of supramolecular polymers are defined by very specific, intermolecular interactions. Recent work using modular molecular platforms to probe the mechanisms underlying mechanical response of supramolecular polymers is reviewed. The contributions of supramolecular kinetics, thermodynamics, and conformational flexibility to supramolecular polymer properties in solutions of discrete polymers, in networks, and at interfaces, are described. Molecule-to-material relationships are established through methods reminiscent of classic physical organic chemistry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Center for Biologically Inspired Materials and Material Systems, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0346, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Serpe
authors.forename: Stephen L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Craig
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002625:Chemistry, Organic; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D007700:Kinetics; D015394:Molecular Structure; D055601:Organic Chemistry Phenomena; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers