Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol) bottlebrush networks via ring-opening metathesis polymerization.

Herein it is reported how the overlap concentration () can be used to overcome crosslinking due to diol impurities in commercial PEG, allowing for the synthesize of bottlebrush polymers with good control over molecular weight. Additionally, PEG-based bottlebrush networks are synthesized via ROMP, attaining high conversions with minimal sol fractions (<2%). The crystallinity and mechanical properties of these networks are then further altered by solvent swelling with phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate/DCM cosolvents. The syntheses reported here highlight the potential of the bottlebrush network architecture for use in the rational design of new materials.