Enhancement of mechanical properties upon hydration in copolymers of PEG and iodinated tyrosine-derived poycarbonates

F. Bedoui, L. K. Widjaja, A. Luk, D. Bolikal, N. S. Murthy, J. Kohn

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Increase in modulus upon hydration in copolymers of desaminotyrosyl- tyrosine ethyl ester (DTE) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with iodinated tyrosines, poly(I2DTE-co-PEG carbonate)s, was investigated by varying the fraction and the molecular weight of the hydrophilic PEG component. Water, as expected, acts as plasticizer in polymer with PEG content < 15 wt% and > 30 wt%. But, water has the opposite effect in iodinated polymers with moderate PEG contents, between 15 to 20 wt%: it enhances the Young's modulus. The strength and modulus of hydrated poly(I2DTE-co-15%PEG 2K carbonate)s increased by as much as fifteen fold upon hydration. While the decrease in the mechanical properties in most polymeric materials with diluents such water is due to the solvent-induced swelling, the increase in strength and modulus that is observed is most likely due to the reinforcing effect of the increased cross-linking efficiency of the hydrated PEG domains in the iodinated polymer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationApplications of Group IV Semiconductor Nanostructures
Pages250-255
Number of pages6
StatePublished - 2008
Event2008 MRS Fall Meeting - Boston, MA, United States
Duration: Dec 1 2008Dec 5 2008

Publication series

NameMaterials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
Volume1145
ISSN (Print)0272-9172

Other

Other2008 MRS Fall Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston, MA
Period12/1/0812/5/08

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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