Abstract
Smart polymers remain a compelling focus for researchers and industries due to their remarkable efficiency, adaptability, and specificity. These dynamic systems can react to external stimuli by altering their physicochemical properties, holding immense potential for a new wave of intelligent applications. The strategic functionalization of stimuli-responsive polymers unlocks ways for novel smart properties. An illustrative example is the integration of organometallic complexes, offering exciting prospects for augmenting heterogeneous catalysis and achieving precise control over drug release. It's crucial to acknowledge that the current state of functionalization while promising, is constrained by intricate and multifaceted procedures. In this pursuit, we propose a novel approach: functionalizing catechol groups within polymeric chains of N-isopropylacrylamide using high concentrations of bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV) dichloride, achieving unprecedented levels of organometallic attachment (4.05 mol %). Our findings, validated through 1H NMR analysis, confirm the successful integration of organometallic complexes while shedding light on the underlying reaction mechanisms. Moreover, these materials exhibit intriguing changes in their cloud points, which are directly influenced by the presence of organometallic compounds, resulting in differences of over 10 °C for samples with the highest contents. This research underscores the potential of tailored polymer functionalization strategies in advancing smart materials for diverse technological applications.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 125383 |
Journal | Journal of Molecular Liquids |
Volume | 408 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 15 Aug 2024 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2024 The Authors
Keywords
- Cloud point
- Functionalized materials
- Hybrids
- Hydrophobic transitions
- Thermoresponsive polymers
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Spectroscopy
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Materials Chemistry