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Photopolymerization kinetics in and of self‐assembling lyotropic liquid crystal templates
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Photopolymerization kinetics in and of self‐assembling lyotropic liquid crystal templates

Kristan S Worthington, Céline Baguenard, Bradley S Forney and C. Allan Guymon
Journal of polymer science. Part B, Polymer physics, Vol.55(6), pp.471-489
03/15/2017
DOI: 10.1002/polb.24296
url
https://doi.org/10.1002/polb.24296View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

ABSTRACT Photopolymerization in and of lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) template phases shows great promise for generating nanostructure in organic polymers. Interestingly, the order imposed on the polymerization system in LLCs significantly alters polymerization kinetics. The rate of polymerization of hydrophilic monomers increases with increasing LLC order, primarily due to monomer/polymer association with surfactant and the resulting decrease of growing polymer chain diffusion. Conversely, as LLC order increases, hydrophobic monomers become less segregated as nonpolar volume increases, which decreases polymerization rate. The efficiency of initiators is also dependent on LLC template order, further contributing to polymerization rate changes. When reactive surfactants are used, LLC mesophase, location of reactive group, and aliphatic tail length also affect polymerization kinetics. Overall, these photopolymerization kinetics directly relate to the segregation behavior and local order of reactive groups and thus can be used to probe nanostructure evolution, facilitating understanding and control of ultimate polymer nanostructure. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 471–489 Photopolymerization in lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) templates shows great promise in creating nanostructured polymer networks. The polymerization kinetics are both directly dependent on and influence the LLC structure. The chemical nature of monomer and initiator molecules directs the segregation and self‐association with surfactant, which in turn dramatically changes the polymerization rate and kinetic parameters. The final polymer network structure and properties can be both controlled and predicted by these photopolymerization kinetics.
polymer photopolymerization polymerization template kinetics lyotropic liquid crystal surfactant self‐assembly

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