LIVING POLYMERS IN ORGANIC-SOLVENTS

A binuclear copper(II) tetracarboxylate gives viscoelastic jellies in methylcyclohexane. The transient elastic three-dimensional network consists of molecular threads. Oscillatory shear experiments suggest that the dynamics of the chains ought to be described in the framework of "living polymers". Scission/recombination processes compete with reptation of the chains and provide an efficient mechanism for stress relaxation. A concentration dependence is observed and discussed in the context of aggregates formed with stacked molecules. The Arrhenian temperature dependence of the stress relaxation provides an activation energy value (ca. 16k(B)T) confirming the existence of the breaking/recombination kinetic steps.