Polymer Mechanochemistry: From Destructive to Productive

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.5b00184
• Publication Date: 2015-07-15T19:44:27Z
• Authors: Jun Li; Chikkannagari Nag...; Jeffrey S. Moore
• Keywords: Mechanochemistry

When one brings "polymeric materials" and "mechanical action" into the same conversation, topic of this discussion might naturally focus on everyday circumstances such as failure fibers, fatigue composites, abrasion coatings, etc. This intuitive viewpoint reflects historic consensus in both academia industry that mechanically induced chemical changes are destructive, leading to polymer degradation limits materials lifetime macroscopic molecular levels. In 1930s, Staudinger observed mechanical polymers, Melville later discovered chain scission caused degradation. Inspired by these historical observations, we sought redirect destructive energy a productive form enables mechanoresponsive functions. Account, provide personal perspective origin, barriers, developments, key advancements mechanochemistry. We revisit seminal events offered molecular-level insights mechanochemical behavior polymers influenced our thinking. also highlight milestones achieved group along with contributions from comrades at frontier field. present workflow for design, evaluation, development new "mechanophores", term has come mean unit chemically responds selective manner perturbation. discuss significance computation identifying pairs points mechanophore promote stretch-induced activation. Attaching chains most sensitive pair locating near center linear thought maximize efficiency mechanical-to-chemical transduction. emphasize importance control experiments validate transformations, solution solid state, differentiate "mechanical" "thermal" Account offers first-hand change-in-thinking mechanochemistry "destructive" "productive" looks future advances will stimulate growing