Design of Topology-Controlled Polyethers toward Robust Cooperative Hydrogen Bonding

Junhee Kim, Soonyoung Choi, Jinsu Baek, Yong Il Park, Jin Chul Kim, Ji Eun Jeong, Hyocheol Jung, Tae Hyuk Kwon, Byeong Su Kim, Sang Ho Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Topology control of polymers is critical for determining their physical properties and potential applications; in particular, topologies that incorporate numerous hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) donors and acceptors along the polymer chains considerably influence the formation of different inter- and intramolecular H-bonding motifs. In this study, the high-level control of inter- and intramolecular H-bonding is investigated in topology-controlled poly(glycidoxy carbonyl benzoic acid)s (PGCs). Three types of topology-controlled PGCs (i.e., linear, hyperbranched, and branched cyclic structures having a similar degree of polymerization) are prepared by introducing aromatic carboxylic acids into the corresponding polyglycidols (PGs) via quantitative post-polymerization modification with phthalic anhydride. The obtained three types of PGCs demonstrated the high-level interplay between the inter- and intramolecular H-bonding in polymer chains by exhibiting the pH-dependent self-association properties in the solution state and the strong adhesion properties in the bulk state with high transparency. Interestingly, the dramatically enhanced adhesive property by 2.6-fold is demonstrated by simple mixing of branched cyclic PGC and topology-controlled PGs to promote the cooperative H-bonding between polymer chains. The new class of cooperative H-bonding is anticipated between topology-controlled polymers to contribute to the development of advanced adhesive and the high potential in biological and biomedical applications due to its excellent biocompatibility.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2302086
JournalAdvanced Functional Materials
Volume33
Issue number33
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Aug 2023

Keywords

  • cooperative H-bonding
  • poly(glycidoxy carbonyl benzoic acid)
  • polyethers
  • polymer adhesives
  • polymer topology control

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