Network mesh structure and macroscopic mechanics of amphiphilic conetworks

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Kay Saalwächter, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Preparatory and Physical Chemistry of Polymers ; Experimental and Theoretical Physics of Polymers
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 397384169

This project is concerned with the characterization of relevant structural and dynamic properties of amphiphilic conetworks synthesized through heterocomplementary linking of star macromolecules with different arrangements of the blocks with different philicity. These model networks are prepared and further characterized by other experimental and theoretical methods in the framework of the Research Unit 2811. We focus in particular on mechanical properties of and molecular transport through these networks, which are studied by rheological methods and pulsed-gradient NMR, respectively. These findings are correlated with microscopic observables of the local network structure, which is probed by specific NMR methods. Given the broad range of amphiphilic, notably selectively swollen and partially transient as well as switchable networks, we expect to elucidate the molecular and structural basis of the mechanical and transport properties.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 2811: Adaptive Polymer Gels with Controlled Network Structure