Hydrogen-Bonded Supramolecular Polymers from Derivatives of α-amino-ε-caprolactam: A Bio-Based Material

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2011

School

Polymer Science and Engineering

Abstract

Hydrogen-bonded supramolecular polymers were prepared from the derivatives of α-amino-ε-caprolactam (ACL), obtained from a renewable resource. Several self-complimentary bis- or tetra-caprolactam monomers were synthesized by varying the number of carbons of the spacer between the hydrogen-bonding end groups. Physical properties of these hydrogen-bonded polymers were clearly demonstrated by differential scanning colorimetry, solid-state NMR, and X-ray powder diffraction analyses. The supramolecular behavior was also supported by fiber formation from the melt for several of these compounds, and stable glassy materials were prepared from the physical mixtures of two different biscaprolactams. The self-association ability of ACL was also used by incorporating ACL at the chain ends of low-molecular weight Jeffamine (M n = 900 g/mol) using urea and amide linkages. The transformation of this liquid oligomer at room temperature into a self-standing, transparent film clearly showed the improvement in mechanical properties obtained by the introduction of terminal hydrogen-bonding groups. Finally, the use of monomers with a functionality of four gave rise to network formation either alone or combination with bifunctional monomers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Comments

Originally published in Journal of Polymer Science, Part A: Polymer Chemistry, Volume 49, Issue 11, 1 June 2011, Pages 2451-2460

Full-text available for USM authenticated users

Publication Title

Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry

Volume

49

Issue

11

First Page

2451

Last Page

2460

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