Issue 15, 2022

Star polymer networks: a toolbox for cross-linked polymers with controlled structure

Abstract

The synthesis of precisely controlled polymer networks has been a long-cherished dream of polymer scientists. Traditional random cross-linking strategies often lead to uncontrolled networks with various kinds of defects. Recent advances in polymer synthesis have yielded a concept that could solve these problems, namely, star polymer networks. Polymer networks constructed by end-linking multiarm polymers with a narrow molecular weight distribution have been shown to be much more homogeneous than the conventional networks. Thus, this type of polymer network has been employed as a convenient tool in various fields, from exploration of fundamental physics of polymer networks to development of functional soft materials. For efficient use of this strategy, the user needs to be familiar with two key elements: the end-linking reaction and the type of polymer. Here, we comprehensively review the chemistries of star polymer networks, with particular focus on these two points.

Graphical abstract: Star polymer networks: a toolbox for cross-linked polymers with controlled structure

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
18 11 2021
Accepted
25 3 2022
First published
30 3 2022

Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 2074-2107

Star polymer networks: a toolbox for cross-linked polymers with controlled structure

S. Nakagawa and N. Yoshie, Polym. Chem., 2022, 13, 2074 DOI: 10.1039/D1PY01547H

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