Bottlebrush Networks: A Primer for Advanced Architectures

Bottlebrush Networks: A Primer for Advanced Architectures

2024 May 27; 63(22): e202318220 | Brandon R. Clarke, Connor L. Witt, Mark Ilton, Alfred J. Crosby, James J. Watkins, Gregory N. Tew
Bottlebrush networks (BBNs) are a novel class of materials characterized by their unique architecture, which consists of densely grafted side chains along the main chain of network strands. The architectural parameters of BBNs are defined by the degree of polymerization (dp) of side chains, the dp between crosslinks, and the dp between side chains. This review aims to provide an interdisciplinary overview of BBN chemistry and physics, including contemporary synthetic methods and the development of a desktop application, LengthScale, to facilitate bottlebrush physics. The review highlights the importance of bridging the gap between chemistry and physics to advance the understanding and application of BBNs. It discusses various synthetic strategies, such as radical polymerization (RP), ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), photopolymerization of thiol/thiolane groups (UV-Thiol), and hydrosilylation (H-Si), each with its advantages and limitations. The review also addresses key issues in nomenclature and modeling, emphasizing the need for a clear definition of grafting density to avoid confusion in classifying materials as "combs" or "bottlebrushes." Additionally, it explores the physical properties of BBNs, particularly the Kuhn length, and highlights open questions and emerging opportunities in the field, including the exploration of new applications and the scaling of synthesis methods for industrial production.Bottlebrush networks (BBNs) are a novel class of materials characterized by their unique architecture, which consists of densely grafted side chains along the main chain of network strands. The architectural parameters of BBNs are defined by the degree of polymerization (dp) of side chains, the dp between crosslinks, and the dp between side chains. This review aims to provide an interdisciplinary overview of BBN chemistry and physics, including contemporary synthetic methods and the development of a desktop application, LengthScale, to facilitate bottlebrush physics. The review highlights the importance of bridging the gap between chemistry and physics to advance the understanding and application of BBNs. It discusses various synthetic strategies, such as radical polymerization (RP), ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), photopolymerization of thiol/thiolane groups (UV-Thiol), and hydrosilylation (H-Si), each with its advantages and limitations. The review also addresses key issues in nomenclature and modeling, emphasizing the need for a clear definition of grafting density to avoid confusion in classifying materials as "combs" or "bottlebrushes." Additionally, it explores the physical properties of BBNs, particularly the Kuhn length, and highlights open questions and emerging opportunities in the field, including the exploration of new applications and the scaling of synthesis methods for industrial production.
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[slides and audio] -Bottlebrush Networks%3A A Primer for Advanced Architectures.