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Tracking Local Mechanical Impact in Heterogeneous Polymers with Direct Optical Imaging
Author(s) -
Filonenko Georgy A.,
Lugger Jody A. M.,
Liu Chong,
van Heeswijk Ellen P. A.,
Hendrix Marco M. R. M.,
Weber Manuela,
Müller Christian,
Hensen Emiel J. M.,
Sijbesma Rint P.,
Pidko Evgeny A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201809108
Subject(s) - polymer , characterization (materials science) , robustness (evolution) , materials science , nanotechnology , photoluminescence , mechanical energy , tracking (education) , optical imaging , chemistry , composite material , optoelectronics , physics , optics , biochemistry , power (physics) , quantum mechanics , gene , psychology , pedagogy
Structural heterogeneity defines the properties of many functional polymers and it is often crucial for their performance and ability to withstand mechanical impact. Such heterogeneity, however, poses a tremendous challenge for characterization of these materials and limits our ability to design them rationally. Herein we present a practical methodology capable of resolving the complex mechanical behavior and tracking mechanical impact in discrete phases of segmented polyurethane—a typical example of a structurally complex polymer. Using direct optical imaging of photoluminescence produced by a small‐molecule organometallic mechano‐responsive sensor we observe in real time how polymer phases dissipate energy, restructure, and breakdown upon mechanical impact. Owing to its simplicity and robustness, this method has potential in describing the evolution of complex soft‐matter systems for which global characterization techniques fall short of providing molecular‐level insight.