Exploring models for physical degradation of polymers using diluted dynamic polymeric system

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Precision Degradation of Polymer and Polymeric Material
• Project/Area Number: 20H05733
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Transformative Research Areas, Section (II)
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Sakai Takamasa 東京大学, 大学院工学系研究科(工学部), 教授 (70456151)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-10-02 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 粘弾性液体 / 動的高分子希薄系

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the study of the decomposition behavior of deteriorating polymer materials, experiments were conducted using a dynamic polymer dilute system as a model that responds to time and structural changes. A slime-like model material was designed from 4-branched polyethylene glycol, and the correlation between microscopic dynamics and macroscopic viscoelastic dynamics was elucidated. The existence of dissociation between the micro and macro scales and the influence of component diffusion, such as micelles, was confirmed, and in vivo dynamics were verified. Furthermore, by using a model viscoelastic liquid that spontaneously forms phase separation, the presence of phase separation due to variables of 4-branched polyethylene glycol was revealed. These research efforts are believed to deepen our understanding of the deterioration and decomposition of polymer materials and contribute to the construction of more refined models.

Free Research Field

高分子

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

高分子の分解をモデル化する上で、簡素な系を用いたモデル実験は必要不可欠である。本申請で対象とした粘弾性液体・塑性体は、高分子全般の粗視化モデルとして利用可能であり、かつポリエチレングリコールと水の2成分系から、作り分けができる技術を確立した。
また、従来の研究では材料内の分子ダイナミクスの不均質性を定量評価することが困難であったが、モデル材料を用いたミクロとマクロの物性を比較することで、その不均質性を論じる基盤を得た。これらの結果は、高分子全般の分解ダイナミクスをモデル化する上で、基礎的な知見となる得るものと考えられる。