Sylvie Tencé-Girault

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.

Order–Disorder Transition in Supramolecular Polymers

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.

Supramolecular Thermoplastic with 0.5 Pa·s Melt Viscosity

Design of materials with polymer-like properties at service temperature but able to flow like simple liquids when heated remains one of the important challenges of supramolecular chemistry. Combining these antagonistic properties is highly desirable to provide durability, processability, and recyclability of materials. Here, we explore a new strategy based on polycondensation reactions to design supramolecular polymer materials with stress at break above 10 MPa and melt viscosity lower than 1 Pa·s. We report the synthesis and rheological and mechanical properties (uniaxial tensile tests) of supramolecular polymers based on a multiblock polyamide architecture. The flexibility of polycondensation reactions made it possible to control the molecular size distribution, the strength of hydrogen bonds, and the crystallization of middle and end groups and to achieve targeted properties.