Tuning the chain-end functionality of a short-chain cationic homopolymer, owing to the nature of the initiator used in the ATRP polymerisation step, can be used to mediate the formation of a gel of this poly(electrolyte) in water. While a neutral end group gives a solution of low viscosity, a highly homogeneous gel is obtained with a phosphonate anionic moiety, as characterized by rheometry and diffusion NMR. This novel type of supramolecular control over poly(electrolytic) gel formation could find potential use in a variety of applications in the field of electroactive materials.
@article{arxiv.1411.0978,
title = {Mediating gel formation from structurally controlled poly(electrolytes) through multiple "head-to-body" electrostatic interactions},
author = {Hassan Srour and Olivier Ratel and Mathieu Leocmach and Emma A. Adams and Sandrine Denis-Quanquin and Vinukrishnan Appukuttan and Nicolas Taberlet and Sébastien Manneville and Jean-Charles Majesté and Christian Carrot and Chantal Andraud and Cyrille Monnereau},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1411.0978},
year = {2016}
}