Multifunctional polymers built on copper-thioether coordination

Copper( i )-thioether complexes have been extensively studied in the literature due to several qualities, including the diversity of coordination structures and the convenience and low-cost of preparation. In this work, acrylate-based block polymers containing thioether moieties were successfully coordinated with copper( i ) to form thermally stable hybrid materials. The block polymer phase, poly(methyl methacrylate)- b -poly(methyl thioethyl acrylate- co -butyl acrylate) (PMMA- b -P(MTEA- co -BA)), was effectively reinforced by copper( i ) bromide to give excellent mechanical performance (breaking strength of 7.5 MPa and breaking strain of 500%). Meanwhile, the hybrid materials were endowed with self-healing capability because of the copper-thioether coordination. Notably, the melt-compounded films of copper( i )-thioether block polymers exhibited a very fast response towards hydrochloric acid vapor, reflected as a color transition within 10 seconds upon exposure. Additionally, the hybrid polymers also responded rapidly to hydrogen peroxide solution (color change within 1 minute). These unique characteristics grant possibilities to the hybrid materials to be utilized as flexible and cheap sensors for hydrochloric acid and oxidants. Fundamentally, this study expands the territory of metal-thioether coordinated block polymers and also sheds light on the fabrication of multifunctional hybrid materials for smart device applications. Copper-thioether coordinated block polymers were successfully constructed to form mechanically tough materials with a color response towards hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide.