Suppression of mesoscopic order by complementary interactions in supramolecular polymers.
We show here that complementary interactions can suppress mesoscopic order and thus lead to a counterintuitive change in material properties. We present results for telechelic supramolecular polymers based on poly(propylene oxide) (PPO), thymine (Thy), and diaminotriazine (DAT). The self-complementary systems based on Thy exhibit lamellar order and 2D crystallization of Thy in the bulk. We show that the microphase segregation is inhibited by addition of DAT: the strong complementary Thy-DAT interaction inhibits crystallization of thymine in microdomains and lamellar structuration. As a result, the supramolecular polymer with only weakly self-complementary stickers is a solid, whereas the supramolecular polymer with strongly complementary stickers is a liquid.
Matière Molle et Chimie (UMR 7167 ESPCI-CNRS), Ecole Supérieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielles de la Ville de Paris (ESPCI ParisTech), 10 rue Vauquelin, 75005 Paris, France.
Jessalyn
J
Cortese
Corinne
C
Soulié-Ziakovic
Sylvie
S
Tencé-Girault
Ludwik
L
Leibler
D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013941:Thymine / Q000737:chemistry*; D014227:Triazines / Q000737:chemistry*
C569986:2,4-diaminotriazine; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011108:Polymers; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D014227:Triazines; C012504:polypropylene glycol; D013941:Thymine