Bio-Inspired Metallo-Supramolecular Polymers for Combined Mechanical Properties

摘要

The development of materials with combined mechanical properties remains a significant challenge in polymer synthesis. The preparation of such materials could potentially impact a wide range of Army applications. In this work, bio-inspired metallo-supramolecular polymers were designed, synthesized, and characterized. We anticipate these polymers will display enhanced mechanical properties due to the presence of intermediate strength metal-ligand bonds present in the polymer backbone, which forms a compacted, modular molecular topology. The 2,6-bisbenzimidazolylpyridine ligand was prepared and incorporated into a model polymer backbone via thiol-ene click chemistry. The resulting polymer was thoroughly characterized by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Binding of the ligand with Zn2+ and Co2+ was studied using ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy, which demonstrated a 2:1 ligand-to- metal ratio.