The Effect of Intrachain Cross-Linking on the Thermomechanical Behavior of Bulk Polymers Assembled Solely from Single Chain Polymer Nanoparticles
Abstract
Molecular dynamics simulations are used to study the effects of intramolecular chemical cross-linking on chain topology and thermomechanical properties of a bulk thermoplastic polymer assembled purely from single chain polymer nanoparticles (SCPNs). Chain unfolding and entanglement were found to decrease with increasing intrachain cross-linking ratio. The simulated mechanical testing shows that the bulk polymer becomes stiffer, stronger, and more brittle as the intrachain cross-linking ratio is increased.
Type
Publication
Macromolecules
