Ordering in supramolecular elastomer-amphiphile systems. 4. Vinylpyridine-divinylbenzene networks with alkylphenols

We report here on the extension to elastomers of the idea of inducing nanos cale ordering in supramolecular polymer systems based on the principle of h ydrogen bonding between amphiphiles and (block co-)polymers. Three differen t networks have been synthesized using 4-vinylpyridine and divinylbenzene ( 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mol %, respectively) and are further complexed with penta decylphenol or nonadecylphenol. For low degrees of cross-linking (0.5 and 1 .0 mol % divinylbenzene), mesomorphic structures are formed, and order-diso rder transitions are observed by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and di fferential scanning calorimetry. For the highest degree of cross-linking (2 .0 mol % divinylbenzene), mesomorphic structures is no longer observed. The presence of ordered lamellar structures is confirmed by transmission elect ron microscopy (TEM). SAXS and TEM clearly reveal the deteriorating effect of an increasing degree of cross-linking on the structure formation.