Chemical reaction to create more flexible material

Scientists working at the University of Edinburgh, UK and the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, can impact molecules at the nanoscale level during chemical reactions to increase the flexibility of objects. (help to create lighter, more durable plastic).

"We have succeeded in pairing molecules into pentafoil nodes , which are the most complex at the molecular level," says David Leigh, a research fellow at the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom.

The researchers found that these pentafoil nodes would characterize the complex nodes found in proteins and DNA that would enhance the material's elastic properties.

"Any scientist can repeat what we did by following the formula we found, and using the special chemicals we developed , " Leigh added. .

Scientists can more closely control the process of creating new materials thanks to the pentafoil buttons.

"The pentafoil button and the linkage between the molecules will determine the elastic properties of the rubber and resin, so redesigning the molecules (with specific knotted structures), we can shock and improve the elasticity of the material and resin, " Leigh added.

The researchers used a self-assembly technique to create a chemical reaction in which the atoms were programmed to (spontaneously) wrap themselves into specific nodes.

"One of the hardest things is that after transplanting the molecule into a pentafoil node, we have to recognize the structure of this pentafoil node." We did this with a technique called crystal X-ray filtering to pinpoint the position. The exact location of the atoms in the molecule, this is done over a period of more than one year, " Leigh said.

"The results of this study have the potential to be applied in spacecraft materials to bulletproof jerseys."