Gelation Dynamics in Polydimethylsiloxane Bottlebrush Elastomers.

ABSTRACT: Network formation in elastomers with grafted side chains is investigated to understand the entanglement-free nature of the bottlebrush architecture. Competition between elastically effective cross-linkers and dangling side chains creates a unique environment where reaction kinetics and steric effects dictate network percolation. The evolving viscoelasticity of linear and bottlebrush networks with an equivalent number of cross-linkers to backbones is measured during a catalytic curing reaction using time-resolved rheology. The impact of reaction kinetics on network formation is addressed through the sol-gel transition by tuning catalyst concentration. Solidification falls into a rate-limited regime where the modulus growth rate increases with increasing catalyst. The network formation proce

SUBMITTER: Barber S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12272525 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature