Ultra-stretchable chitin-based branched elastomers with enhanced mechanical properties via RAFT polymerization

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers 2022-07, Vol.288, p.119381-119381, Article 119381
• Main Authors: Wang, Zhiqiang, Zhang, Lujun, Feng, Jiajun, Tang, Pengfei, Chen, Shuaishuai, Yu, Hanqing, Hu, Yueyao, Wang, Zhongkai, Jiang, Feng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Branched elastomer; Chitin; Controlled radical polymerization; Elastomers; Mechanical property; Polymerization; Polymers; Strain hardening; Tensile Strength
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119381

In this work, a chitin-based macromolecular chain transfer agent (Chitin-CTA) was designed to graft polymers from chitin at the molecular level. Homogeneous reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was performed to prepare branched MA elastomers, chitin-graft-poly(methyl acrylate) (Chitin-g-PMA) copolymers, which were thermally stable and showed tunable glass transition temperatures. These ultra-stretchable branched MA elastomers exhibit unique strain-hardening behavior and significantly enhanced mechanical properties. Mechanical tests indicate that the chitin backbones in branched MA elastomers can act as cross-linking points to improve the tensile strength, toughness, and elasticity simultaneously. The macroscopic performance of branched MA elastomers c be further promoted by introducing hydrogen bonding as non-covalent interaction to form an additional reversible physical network. This robust and versatile grafting strategy can provide new opportunities to prepare chitin-based branched MA elastomers with extraordinary mechanical properties. [Display omitted] •Chitin-based macromolecular chain transfer agent was designed.•Chitin branched elastomers were prepared via RAFT polymerization.•These branched elastomers show significantly enhanced mechanical properties.•Chitin backbones promote the strain-hardening behavior.