Relaxation Properties of Poly (ethylene oxide) Copolymer Networks: Influence of Short-Chain Pendant Groups

摘要

Recently, we have undertaken an examination of the relaxation characteristics of model rubbery PEO copolymer networks based on poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate crosslinker. In the amorphous networks, crosslink density is controlled by copolymerization with mono-functional acrylates of similar chemical composition, leading to the insertion of flexible oligomeric branches along the network backbone. Key structural variables include the length of the branches (as determined by the molecular weight of the acrylate co-monomer) and the branch end group. These materials, which encompass high ethylene oxide content, display strongly favorable solubility selectivity for CO2 over other light gases and have been identified as promising membrane materials for the separation of CO2/H2 and CO2/CH4 gas mixtures.