This research concerned the synthesis and characterization of novel conetworks containing polyisobutylene (PIB) and polyethyl‐2‐cyanoacrylate [poly(Et‐CA)] sequences. The syntheses involved the copolymerization of CA‐telechelic three‐arm star PIB [Ø(PIB‐CA) 3 ] with ethyl‐2‐cyanoacrylate (Et‐CA) mediated by nucleophiles or by living tissue (fresh eggs). The conetworks were characterized by swelling in hexanes, tetrahydrofuran (THF), and acetone, and the results indicate co‐continuous PIB and poly(Et‐CA) domains. The conetworks exhibit two T g s indicating phase‐separation between PIB and poly(Et‐CA). The outstanding oxidative resistance of the conetworks was demonstrated by exposure to concentrated nitric acid. The tensile strengths, moduli, and elongations of a series of conetworks with different overall compositions were investigated and the findings interpreted in terms of covalently linked rubbery and glassy domains. AFM also suggests the presence of phase‐separated rubbery and glassy domains. DMTA spectra of a Ø(PIB‐CA) 3 homonetwork, and Ø(PIB‐CA) 3 /Et‐CA conetworks were analyzed and interpreted in terms of coexisting rubbery and glassy domains. Observations made during the exposure of Ø(PIB‐CA) 3 /Et‐CA mixtures to proteinaceous tissue, in combination with characterization data, were used to propose a structural model for the conetworks.
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Kwon et al. (2007) studied this question.