Partner: Fouzia Boulmedais

Université de Strasbourg (FR)

Recent publications
1.Rydzek G., Pakdel A., Witecka A., Shri D.N.A., Gaudière F., Nicolosi V., Mokarian-Tabari P., Schaaf P., Boulmedais F., Ariga K., pH-Responsive Saloplastics Based on Weak Polyelectrolytes: From Molecular Processes to Material Scale Properties, Macromolecules, ISSN: 0024-9297, DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b00609, Vol.51, No.12, pp.4424-4434, 2018
Abstract:

Compact polyelectrolyte complexes (COPECs), also named saloplastics, represent a new class of material with high fracture strain and self-healing properties. Here, COPECs based on poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) were prepared by centrifugation at pH 7. The influence of postassembly pH changes was monitored chemically by ATR-FTIR, ICP, DSC, and TGA, morphologically by SEM, and mechanically by strain to break measurements. Postassembly pH stimuli misbalanced the charge ratio in COPECs, impacting their concentration in counterions, cross-link density, and polymer chain mobility. At the material level, changes were observed in the porosity, composition, water content, and mechanical properties of COPECs. The cross-link density was a prominent factor governing the saloplastic's composition and water content. However, the porosity and mechanical properties were driven by several factors including salt-induced plasticization and conformational changes of polyelectrolytes. This work illustrates how multiple-scale consequences arise from a single change in the environment of COPECs, providing insights for future design of stimuli-responsive materials.

Affiliations:
Rydzek G.-National Institute for Materials Science (JP)
Pakdel A.-World Premier International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA) (JP)
Witecka A.-IPPT PAN
Shri D.N.A.-Universiti Malaysia Pahang (MY)
Gaudière F.-Université de Strasbourg (FR)
Nicolosi V.-Trinity College (IE)
Mokarian-Tabari P.-Trinity College (IE)
Schaaf P.-Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (FR)
Boulmedais F.-Université de Strasbourg (FR)
Ariga K.-National Institute for Materials Science (JP)