DoDyNet — Double Dynamics for design of new responsive polymer networks and gels

Results in brief

Double Dynamics for design of new responsive polymer networks and gels

Polymer gels and networks are fascinating versatile soft materials which are ubiquitous in daily life (foodstuff, cosmetics) and high-added value applications (tissue engineering, sensors, drug storage and delivery, portable batteries), and can exhibit both solid-like and liquid-like properties. Classical methods of crosslinking these networks fall into two categories, chemical and physical, and the properties of the respective networks generally encompass two extreme cases: (i) Permanent networks, covalently crosslinked, able to resist flow and creep, and to swell without losing their coherence, but with limitations in terms of their processing and recycling. (ii) Physical networks, which are reversible, easily processable and recyclable, but creep at long times and show residual deformations in loading/unloading cycles. Today, the biggest challenge with this important class of responsive materials is to efficiently combine and control within the same material all distinct features that make them ideal for applications, such as high mechanical strength, large reversible deformability in shear and extension, substantial reversible swelling, and self-healing properties. The objective of DoDyNet was to address this challenge, inspired by the recent progress made in this field, reached thanks to the development of new types of polymer networks. While different, these new materials share a common concept, which is the combination of at least two distinct dynamic modes within the same material in order to display multiscale viscoelastic responses under the influence of an external stress or deformation field. Consequently, they are characterized by a ‘double’ mechanical behavior, which offers a better balance between the desired properties. To fulfill these objectives, we joined our expertise to design, synthesized, characterize and model the properties of new double polymer networks. (insert Figure 1)

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Polymeric gels and networks are ubiquitous in daily life (foodstuff, cosmetics) and high-added value applications (tissue engineering, adhesives, coating, drug release, portable batteries, additive manufacturing). They can be either permanent (covalently crosslinked) and resist flow, or physical (reversible) and easy to process while creeping at long times. The grand challenge is to efficiently combine and control within the same material, distinct features of these two classes of networks, such as large mechanical strength, deformability, swelling and self-healing, in order to create multiply responsive materials for new applications.The objective of DoDyNet is to develop a research roadmap that enhances our understanding of the synergistic effects arising by combining distinct dynamic modes within a polymeric network. These ‘Double Dynamics Networks’ (DDNs) are characterized by a multi-scale viscoelastic response that can be tuned via molar mass, fraction of component and dynamics of (transient or exchangeable) bonds. This will enable us to selectively tailor their macroscopic properties at molecular level.Based on this concept, the integrated research program involves (1) novel synthesis of different DDNs; (2) detailed analysis of structure; (3) rheology and dynamics; (4) modeling and simulations; and (5) mechanical properties relevant to applications. The ESRs will benefit from the close inter-connection among these complementary tasks with the goal to obtain criteria for designing and developing new industrial DDN systems and optimizing existing materials.DoDyNet is a highly interdisciplinary and inter-sectorial project, the groups involved are world-leaders in their fields, and the tasks strategically designed to ensure strong synergies. It offers young researchers an extraordinarily diverse training platform with a deep grasp of soft matter and unique exposure to industrial environment, needed to address emerging scientific and technological challenges.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN · LOUVAIN LA NEUVECoordinatorBelgium
ALLNEX BELGIUM · Bruxelles / BrusselBelgium
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS · ParisFrance
DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET · Kongens LyngbyDenmark
DSM MATERIALS SCIENCE CENTER BV · GeleenNetherlands
ECOLE SUPERIEURE DE PHYSIQUE ET DECHIMIE INDUSTRIELLES DE LA VILLE DEPARIS · ParisFrance
IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNAS · IRAKLEIOGreece
JOHANNES GUTENBERG-UNIVERSITAT MAINZ · MainzGermany
TESA SE · HAMBURGGermany
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI FEDERICO II · NapoliItaly

DoDyNet · Double Dynamics for design of new responsive polymer networks and gels

Results in brief

Double Dynamics for design of new responsive polymer networks and gels

Project objective

Participants

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