Supramolecular Polymer Backbone Quadruple Hydrogen Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for incorporating quadruple hydrogen bonding units into polymers are limited by the need for complex chemistry, sensitivity of catalysts, and limited incorporation levels, resulting in materials with inferior properties compared to those with 4H-units integrated within the polymer backbone.
Innovation Solution
The development of supramolecular polymers with quadruple hydrogen bonding units integrated within the polymer backbone through chain extension or redistribution reactions, allowing control over the average amount of 4H-units per polymer chain and enabling the synthesis of materials with superior properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If 4H-units are incorporated as end groups or grafted units in polymers, then the polymer can be synthesized using existing methods, but the functional units are limited to the periphery and material properties are inferior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the polymer structure into distinct segments: a backbone polymer chain and separately incorporated 4H-unit monomers. This segmentation allows the 4H-units to be distributed throughout the polymer chain rather than confined to end groups, enabling both ease of synthesis through copolymerization and superior material properties through enhanced hydrogen bonding interactions throughout the material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating 4H-units at specific positions within the polymer chain through controlled copolymerization. By adjusting the monomer ratio and polymerization conditions, the density and distribution of 4H-units can be locally optimized to achieve desired material properties while maintaining synthesis feasibility
2Strength
If complex chemistry and sensitive catalysts are used to incorporate 4H-units into polymers, then quadruple hydrogen bonding units can be integrated into the polymer backbone, but the process becomes limited by catalyst sensitivity and complex procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses standard, well-established copolymerization techniques that are already widely used in industrial polymer synthesis. By copying proven polymerization methodologies and applying them to monomers containing 4H-units, the invention achieves integration of quadruple hydrogen bonding units into the polymer backbone using routine, non-sensitive catalysts and straightforward procedures, avoiding the need for complex or sensitive chemical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes polymerization parameters such as monomer ratio, temperature, and catalyst selection to achieve effective incorporation of 4H-units using conventional catalysts. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the invention maintains simplicity of procedure while achieving high levels of 4H-unit incorporation, thereby improving material properties without increasing chemical complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If limited amounts of 4H-units are incorporated into copolymers, then the polymerization can proceed with standard catalysts, but the material properties remain inferior to those with backbone-integrated 4H-units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs monomers that contain both the 4H-unit functionality and standard polymerizable groups (such as vinyl or acrylate groups). This multi-functionality allows the same monomer to participate in conventional copolymerization reactions while simultaneously providing quadruple hydrogen bonding capability, enabling both ease of manufacture through standard polymerization and superior material properties through adequate 4H-unit incorporation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite structures at the molecular level by copolymerizing monomers containing 4H-units with other polymerizable monomers. This composite approach allows the formation of polymers that combine the structural benefits of conventional polymer chains with the functional benefits of distributed 4H-units, achieving both polymerization feasibility and enhanced material properties
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These supramolecular polymers exhibit unique material properties due to reversible hydrogen bonding interactions, combining mechanical strength with low melt viscosity, and are easier to synthesize, resulting in superior properties compared to previously disclosed polymers with 4H-units as end groups or grafted units.
Implementation Method 1
quadruple hydrogen bonding units within the polymer backbone, wherein said quadruple hydrogen bonding units are capable of forming at least four H-bridges with each other leading to physical interactions between different polymer chains
Implementation Method 2
These supramolecular polymers exhibit unique material properties due to reversible hydrogen bonding interactions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a supramolecular polymer comprising quadruple hydrogen bonding units within the polymer backbone, wherein at least a monomer comprising a 4H-unit is incorporated in the polymer backbone via at least two reactive groups up to four reactive groups, provided that the 4H-units are not covalently incorporated in the polymer backbone through one or more silicon-carbon bonds. The invention also relates to processes for preparing such supramolecular polymers and their use in personal care applications, surface coatings, imaging technologies, biomedical applications, (thermo)reversible coatings, adhesive and sealing compositions and as thickening agents, gelling agents and binders.