Small-Molecule-based Supramolecular Plastics Mediated by Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation




Yu Jingjing, Qi Dawei, Mäkilä Ermei, Lassila Lippo, Papageorgiou Anastassios C., Peurla Markus, Rosenholm Jessica M., Zhao Zhao, Vallittu Pekka, Jalkanen Sirpa, Jia Chunman, Li Jianwei

PublisherWILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH

2022

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION

ANGEW CHEM INT EDIT

e202204611

10

1433-7851

1521-3773

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202204611

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/anie.202204611

https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/176218695



Plastics are one of the most widely used polymeric materials. However, they are often undegradable and non-recyclable due to the very stable covalent bonds of macromolecules, causing environmental pollution and health problems. Here, we report that liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) could drive the formation of robust, stable, and sustainable plastics using small molecules. The LLPS process could sequester and concentrate solutes, strengthen the non-covalent association between molecules and produce a bulk material whose property was highly related to the encapsulated water amounts. It was a robust plastic with a remarkable Young's modulus of 139.5 MPa when the water content was low while became adhesive and could instantly self-heal with more absorbed water. Finally, responsiveness enabled the material to be highly recyclable. This work allowed us to understand the LLPS at the molecular level and demonstrated that LLPS is a promising approach to exploring eco-friendly supramolecular plastics that are potential substitutes for conventional polymers.


Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 16:06