研究開始時の研究の概要 |
Our group has reported that tripodal triptycenes self-assemble to form thin films with long-range structural integrity. Interestingly, when a tripodal triptycene unit is attached to both termini of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), the resultant telechelic polymer exhibits a particular molecular ordering and a dramatic enhancement of mechanical properties. In this project, intensive studies will be conducted to obtain further insight into the behavior of such telechelic PDMS system. Moreover, this project will focus on the synthesis and properties of new triptycene-appended polymer systems.
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研究実績の概要 |
I conducted the following two research subjects. (1) I have investigated the structure and mechanical properties of telechelic PDMS with 1,8,13-substituted triptycene termini (1,8,13-TripPDMS). Interestingly, due to the excellent self-assembly ability of the triptycene termini, 1,8,13-TripPDMS can form a free-standing film without any chemical crosslinking. Furthermore, as the free-standing film was found to show self-healing properties in the temperature range below its melting point. This work was published in Chemical Science. (2) I also designed new AB diblock copolymer systems using poly(butyl acrylate) as a main chain with a triptycene-containing polymer segment to examine whether the specific self-assembly ability of triptycene can cause microphase separation leading to a particular structure. Interestingly, triptycene-containing AB diblock copolymers assemble into a well-defined ordered structure and exhibit enhanced mechanical and rheological properties. Detailed variable-temperature X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the thermal stability of the assembled structure formed by the diblock copolymers improved as the triptycene content increases. This work was recently submitted for publication and is currently under review.
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