Supramolecular hybrids of cellulose and synthetic polymers

Abstract

We report an investigation on the architectural requirements for synthetic polymers to be incorporated into cellulose via supramolecular interactions. Synthetic polymeric architectures are engineered to incorporate a section offering multiple attachment points, provided by hydrogen bonding groups, which enable strong anchoring to cellulosic substrates. This strategy, which relies on inter- and intra-molecular forces, enables the preparation of new hybrid materials and the addition of tuneable functionalities to natural polymers. We also demonstrate that block copolymers containing a segment that can form a good hydrogen bond with cellulose allow for the incorporation of polymers that are typically not compatible with cellulosic substrates, e.g. poly(styrene). This approach is versatile and easy compared to the complicated and costly natural polymers functionalization techniques developed to date.