Determing the Contribution of Trapped Entanglements to Thermoplastic Elastomer Mechanical Properties

Rational design of sustainable polymer networks requires understanding of the relationship between the underlying network topology and corresponding mechanical properties. In this work for a thermoplastic elastomer system we explore how the interactions between bridges, loops, and trapped entaglements or “links” between physical crosslinks alter the mechanical properties. By using a novel strategy of altering topology between crosslinks via double rebridging Monte Carlo moves we are able to create equilibrium networks with independent numbers of bridges, loops, and trapped entanglements, allowing us to delineate the exact role each plays in the stress strain response upon deforming the network.