Topology-transformable block copolymers based on a rotaxane structure: change in bulk properties with same composition
Hiroki Sato, Daisuke Aoki, Hironori Marubayashi, Satoshi Uchida, Hiromitsu Sogawa, Shuichi Nojima, Xiaobin Liang, K. Nakajima, Teruaki Hayakawa, Toshikazu Takata
Abstract
The topology of polymers affects their characteristic features, i.e., their microscopic structure and macroscopic properties. However, the topology of a polymer is usually fixed during the construction of the polymer chain and cannot be transformed after its determination during the synthesis. In this study, topology-transformable block copolymers that are connected via rotaxane linkages are introduced. We will present systems in which the topology transformation of block copolymers changes their 1) microphase-separated structures and 2) macroscopic mechanical properties. The combination of a rotaxane structure at the junction point and block copolymers that spontaneously form microphase-separated structures in the bulk provides access to systems that cannot be attained using conventional covalent bonds.