New generation of Thermoplastic Elastomers with Controlled thermomechanical PROperties
The objective of the TECPRO project is the development of a new generation of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) with tunable thermomechanical properties. To achieve this goal and outperform current TPEs, the proposed project pursues an innovative approach relying on the preparation of functional triblock copolymers that assemble into phase separated microstructures. Due to the chemical functionalization, the phase separated domains of the triblock copolymers may be independently and reversibly crosslinked through a combination of covalent bonds and non-covalent interactions by either heat or light as the stimulus. The adaptive and reversible cross-linking is expected to allow adjusting the properties of each of the polymer block independently, and thereby variably tune the thermomechanical properties of the corresponding bulk materials. The proposed project will explore the preparation of such polymers, establish their structure-property-function relationship, and explore the (dynamic) cross-linking-dependent mechanical properties. The reversibility of the covalent crosslinks and the dynamic properties of the non-covalent metal-ligand interactions should furthermore allow to completely recycle the envisioned TPEs, thereby addressing important sustainability aspects. Finally, since the application of the different stimuli can be localized, functional polymer materials with complex property gradients will be explored.
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Imported from OpenAIRE Germany | Grant ANR-25-CE06-3571.
Open sourceOverview
Grant agreement ANR-25-CE06-3571 | TECPRO
Open sourceThe objective of the TECPRO project is the development of a new generation of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) with tunable thermomechanical properties. To achieve this goal and outperform current TPEs, the proposed project pursues an innovative approach relying on the preparation of functional triblock copolymers that assemble into phase separated microstructures. Due to the chemical functionalization, the phase separated domains of the triblock copolymers may be independently and reversibly crosslinked through a combination of covalent bonds and non-covalent interactions by either heat or light as the stimulus. The adaptive and reversible cross-linking is expected to allow adjusting the properties of each of the polymer block independently, and thereby variably tune the thermomechanical properties of the corresponding bulk materials. The proposed project will explore the preparation of such polymers, establish their structure-property-function relationship, and explore the (dynamic) cross-linking-dependent mechanical properties. The reversibility of the covalent crosslinks and the dynamic properties of the non-covalent metal-ligand interactions should furthermore allow to completely recycle the envisioned TPEs, thereby addressing important sustainability aspects. Finally, since the application of the different stimuli can be localized, functional polymer materials with complex property gradients will be explored.