New Generation of Thermoplastic Elastomers with Controlled thermomechanical PROperties

• Applicant: Professor Stephen Schrettl, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Polymer Materials
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 568911046

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) combine the elasticity of conventional rubber with the melt-processability of thermoplastics, thus offering crucial advantages in applications ranging from packaging to automotive engineering. However, currently available TPEs frequently lack the precise structural control required for achieving advanced functionalities. The TECPRO project addresses this challenge by developing a new generation of TPEs with controlled and reversible thermomechanical properties, thereby enabling unprecedented flexibility in materials design. The core innovation involves well-defined block copolymers – incorporating “soft” and “hard” segments – combined with reversible crosslinking chemistries, specifically dynamic covalent bonding and non-covalent metal–ligand coordination. This dual approach is envisioned to allow the polymer’s mechanical characteristics to be tailored and reconfigured through targeted stimuli (heat or light). By selectively crosslinking one or both segments, the final TPE may exhibit localized variations in stiffness, elasticity, and heat resistance. In this way, TECPRO not only paves the way for functionally graded materials with spatially varying properties but also contributes to a sustainable, circular plastics economy. Thanks to the reversible crosslinking, these materials can be reprocessed and “reprogrammed” multiple times without compromising their overall integrity. The proposed research addresses the entire value chain: from synthesizing novel building blocks and studying their self-assembly, to performing in-depth structural, thermal, and mechanical characterization of the resulting TPEs. If successful, TECPRO will advance our understanding of how molecular architecture dictates bulk properties, leading to the development of adaptable polymers for fields as diverse as aerospace, automotive, biomedical devices, and soft robotics. By offering a comprehensive platform for stimuli-responsive TPE design, the project intends to explore fundamental science while also spurring technological innovation, ultimately delivering more efficient, versatile, and eco-friendly polymer materials.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: France
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. David Fournier; Professor Dr. Grégory Stoclet