Polymer network synthesized using a reactant or reactants of known molar mass or masses and chemical
structure.
Notes:
- A model network can be prepared using a non-linear polymerization or by crosslinking of existing polymer chains.
- A model network is not necessarily a perfect network. If a non-linear polymerization is used to
prepare the network, non-stoichiometric amounts of reactants or incomplete reaction can lead to
network containing loose ends. If the crosslinking of existing polymer chains is used to prepare the network,
then two loose ends per existing polymer chain result. In the absence of chain entanglements,
loose
ends can never be elastically active network chains.
- In addition to loose ends, model networks usually contain ring structures as network imperfections.
- Loose ends and ring structures reduce the concentration of elastically active network chains
and result in the shear modulus and Young´ s modulus of the rubbery networks being less than the
values expected for a perfect network structure.
- Physical entanglements between network chains can lead to an increase in the concentration of elastically
active network chains and, hence, increases in the shear modulus and the Young´ s modulus above the values expected
for a perfect network structure.
Source:
PAC, 2007, 79, 1801
(Definitions of terms relating to the structure and processing of sols, gels, networks,
and inorganic-organic hybrid materials (IUPAC Recommendations 2007))
on page 1814
Cite as:
IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book"). Compiled by
A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997).
XML on-line corrected version: http://goldbook.iupac.org (2006-) created by M. Nic,
J. Jirat, B. Kosata; updates compiled by A. Jenkins. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8.
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.
