title: Order-disorder transition in supramolecular polymers.
abstract: In supramolecular polymers, directional interactions control the constituting units connectivity, but dispersion forces may conspire to make complex organizations. Here we report on the long-range order and order-disorder transition (ODT) of main-chain supramolecular polymers based on poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) spacers functionalized on both ends with thymine. Below the ODT temperature (T(ODT)), these compounds are semicrystalline with a lamellar structure, showing nanophase separation between crystallized thymine planes and amorphous PPO layers. Above T(ODT), they are amorphous and homogeneous even though their X-ray scattering spectrum reveals a peak. This peak is due to correlation hole effect resulting from contrast between end-functional groups and spacer. Macroscopically, the transition is accompanied by dramatic flow and mechanical properties changes.
authors.affiliation: Matière Molle et Chimie (UMR 7167 ESPCI-CNRS), ESPCI ParisTech, 10 rue Vauquelin 75005 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Jessalyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cortese
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Soulié-Ziakovic
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cloitre
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tencé-Girault
authors.forename: Ludwik
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leibler