Mediating gel formation from structurally controlled poly(electrolytes) through multiple "head-to-body" electrostatic interactions

TL;DR

This study demonstrates how modifying chain-end functionalities of poly(electrolytes) influences gel formation in water, revealing a new supramolecular control mechanism for electroactive material applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to control poly(electrolyte) gelation via chain-end electrostatic interactions based on ATRP synthesis.

Findings

Neutral end groups lead to low-viscosity solutions

Phosphonate end groups produce homogeneous gels

Chain-end functionality critically affects gel properties

Abstract

Tuning the chain-end functionality of a short-chain cationic homopolymer, owing to the nature of the initiator used in the ATRP polymerisation step, can be used to mediate the formation of a gel of this poly(electrolyte) in water. While a neutral end group gives a solution of low viscosity, a highly homogeneous gel is obtained with a phosphonate anionic moiety, as characterized by rheometry and diffusion NMR. This novel type of supramolecular control over poly(electrolytic) gel formation could find potential use in a variety of applications in the field of electroactive materials.