Exploring structure-property relationship on a nanoscale for tailoring films of amphiphilic polymer co-networks
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arXiv
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| Autori principali: | , , , , |
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| Natura: | Preprint |
| Pubblicazione: |
2026
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| _version_ | 1866918278189809664 |
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| author | Hagmann, Kevin Schneider, Carina Ihmann, Stephanie Böhme, Frank von Klitzing, Regine |
| author_facet | Hagmann, Kevin Schneider, Carina Ihmann, Stephanie Böhme, Frank von Klitzing, Regine |
| contents | Amphiphilic polymer co-networks (APCNs) provide a large toolbox for tuning coatings important for applications such as bio-interfaces. Therefore, we investigate the influence of network composition and environmental conditions on the structure and mechanical and adhesive properties of thin films composed of hydrophobic tetra-PCL and hydrophilic tetra-PEG stars of varying sizes. State-of-the-art atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques, including phase imaging, fast quantitative static indentation and dynamic indentation, provide insights into the structure-property-relationship on various length scales. PEG-rich networks exhibit amorphous morphologies with spherical nanodomains and elastic moduli of a few MPa, while PCL-rich networks form semicrystalline cylindrical arrangements with moduli up to several hundred MPa in water. Temperature-dependent measurements in water revealed a strong hysteresis of elastic moduli while shifting the melting/crystallization transitions or preventing crystallization in PEG-rich networks. All networks displayed predominantly elastic behavior. Co-networks in non-selective solvent conditions are overall softer, less adhesive and structurally more homogeneous. These results establish a predictable correlation of network composition, physical and chemical environment, structure and properties, which makes them suitable for a rational design of amphiphilic systems for various applications. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_04936 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Exploring structure-property relationship on a nanoscale for tailoring films of amphiphilic polymer co-networks Hagmann, Kevin Schneider, Carina Ihmann, Stephanie Böhme, Frank von Klitzing, Regine Soft Condensed Matter Amphiphilic polymer co-networks (APCNs) provide a large toolbox for tuning coatings important for applications such as bio-interfaces. Therefore, we investigate the influence of network composition and environmental conditions on the structure and mechanical and adhesive properties of thin films composed of hydrophobic tetra-PCL and hydrophilic tetra-PEG stars of varying sizes. State-of-the-art atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques, including phase imaging, fast quantitative static indentation and dynamic indentation, provide insights into the structure-property-relationship on various length scales. PEG-rich networks exhibit amorphous morphologies with spherical nanodomains and elastic moduli of a few MPa, while PCL-rich networks form semicrystalline cylindrical arrangements with moduli up to several hundred MPa in water. Temperature-dependent measurements in water revealed a strong hysteresis of elastic moduli while shifting the melting/crystallization transitions or preventing crystallization in PEG-rich networks. All networks displayed predominantly elastic behavior. Co-networks in non-selective solvent conditions are overall softer, less adhesive and structurally more homogeneous. These results establish a predictable correlation of network composition, physical and chemical environment, structure and properties, which makes them suitable for a rational design of amphiphilic systems for various applications. |
| title | Exploring structure-property relationship on a nanoscale for tailoring films of amphiphilic polymer co-networks |
| topic | Soft Condensed Matter |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.04936 |