Challenge to enhance the mechanical property of polymeric materials by introducing bio-inspired folding structure

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K19105
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 35:Polymers, organic materials, and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Yoshie Naoko 東京大学, 生産技術研究所, 教授 (20224678)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-06-29 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 高分子材料物性 / 生体模倣 / 強靭化 / 動的結合

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Muscle proteins have intramolecular folding structure driven by transient hydrogen bonds. The folded structure is unfolded upon external stress, efficiently dissipating energy to avoid fracture of the molecule. Inspired by this mechanism in nature, we aimed to develop a general methodology for toughening of artificial polymeric materials based on intramolecular folding structure. We introduced strong hydrogen-bonding groups into a block copolymer-type thermoplastic elastomer to induce intramolecular crosslinking. The mechanical properties of the polymers with intramolecular folding structure were examined by uniaxial tensile tests, which revealed the enhancement effect of intramolecular folding on mechanical performance of crosslinked polymers. We expect that the concept of intramolecular folding developed here will serve as a basis for enhancing mechanical functionalities of various polymeric materials.

Free Research Field

高分子構造・物性

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、分子内折りたたみ構造の導入が、高分子材料の新たな力学特性向上手段となり得ることを示す先駆的な知見が得られた。高分子の三次元網目からなる架橋高分子は産業上重要な材料であり、その力学的信頼性の向上は常に重要な課題である。今後、より多様な高分子種・結合種を用いた折りたたみ構造を実現・検証することで、優れた力学機能を有する材料の開発につながると期待される。