Novel polyisobutylene/poly(dimethylsiloxane) bicomponent networks. I. Synthesis and characterization

The synthesis of novel polyisobutylene (PIB)/poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) bicomponent networks is described. The synthesis strategy (see Figure 1) was to prepare well-defined and -characterized allyl-tritelechelic polyisobutylenes [ϕ(PIB—C—C=C)3] and SiH-ditelechelic poly(dimethylsiloxanes) (HSi–PDMS–SiH) and then crosslink these moieties by hydrosilation. The ϕ(PIB—C—C=C)3 was prepared by living isobutylene polymerization followed by end-quenching with allyltrimethylsilane, whereas the HSi–PDMS–SiH was obtained by equilibrium polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and tetramethyldisiloxane. The detailed structures of the starting polymers were characterized by GPC and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. A series of PIB/PDMS bicomponent networks of varying compositions and average molecular weights between crosslinks (Mc) of ∼ 20,000 g/mol were assembled. Optimum crosslinking conditions were defined in terms of H2PtCl6 catalyst concentration, nature of solvent, time, temperature, and stoichiometry of ∼ CH2CH=CH2/∼SiH groups, allowing for the convenient synthesis of well-defined model bicomponent networks. Swelling studies and elemental analysis confirm the correctness of the synthetic strategy.