Toward understandig the (scale-depending) dynamics in non-covalent polymer networks

The dynamic, time-dependent properties of non-covalent polymer networks are of crucial impact in many areas of soft matter science, including living tissue and responsive matter. The talk focuses on the structure-property relationships in dynamic polymer networs as investigated on two model systems:
Ionomer elastomers that display intrinsic self-healing behaviour are investigated in order to earn deeper experimental insights into the interplay between molecular composition, bond strength, phase separation, and time-dependent rheological properties. We aim at understanding the underlying mechanisms, and at connecting the supramolecular bond lifetime to the network mobility and the self-restoring and scratch healing characteristics. We also demonstrate that by incorparation of magnetic nanoparticles to such elastomers it is possible to accelerate the healing process actively by use of magnetic fields.
Infomation on the local dynamics in non-covalent polymer networks is further made accessible by means of Magnetic Particle Nanorheology. Using model polymer solutions with well-established properties, the scale-dependent nanorheological properties can be accessed by making use of magntic nanoparticle of various size as mechanical probes. In dynamic polymer networks, the method allows to access detailed information on effective relaxation times on the molecular and particulate scale.