Repository logo

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
  1. Home
  2. Academic and Research Output
  3. Journal articles
  4. Dynamics of hydrogen-bonded end groups in bulk polymers revealed by solid-state NMR spectroscopy relaxation dispersion experiments
 
research article

Dynamics of hydrogen-bonded end groups in bulk polymers revealed by solid-state NMR spectroscopy relaxation dispersion experiments

Thiele, Sophia  
•
Plummer, Christopher J.G.  
•
Piveteau, Laura  
Show more
December 1, 2025
Communications Chemistry

The dynamic nature of supramolecular networks of telechelic polymers offers new avenues for the design of novel materials with enhanced melt strength and extensibility, increased energy at break, or self-healing properties. However, monitoring the kinetics of the underlying molecular-level scission-reaggregation events remains challenging, particularly in high-molar-mass polymers in the bulk state. Here, we employ solid-state 1H NMR spectroscopy relaxation dispersion experiments to investigate the aggregation-scission dynamics in poly(ε-caprolactone) modified with oligopeptide end groups that form one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded aggregates. We have successfully determined the timescale of end-group dissociation directly and independently of any relaxation of the polymer segments at different temperatures in the bulk semi-crystalline and melt state. This site-specific, non-destructive method is applicable to entangled, high-molar-mass polymers without chemical modifications or modeling, provides critical insight into the dynamics of supramolecular networks in the bulk state, and promises to be a valuable tool for the directed development of next-generation functional materials. (Figure presented.)

  • Files
  • Details
  • Metrics
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name

10.1038_s42004-025-01597-w.pdf

Type

Main Document

Version

Published version

Access type

openaccess

License Condition

CC BY-NC-ND

Size

1.23 MB

Format

Adobe PDF

Checksum (MD5)

8e2d72e60a5d878a02df94bbc9be60f3

Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Contact
  • infoscience@epfl.ch

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Youtube
AccessibilityLegal noticePrivacy policyCookie settingsEnd User AgreementGet helpFeedback

Infoscience is a service managed and provided by the Library and IT Services of EPFL. © EPFL, tous droits réservés