Dynamics of associating polymers and the sticky Rouse model: a study by combined dielectric and dynamic mechanical techniques

Reversible association through non-covalent bonding is ubiquitous in the soft matter world. Despite decades of studies, the dynamics of associating polymers have not been well understood. Here we examine the dynamics of butadiene- and isoprene-based model polymeric systems with pairwise association through hydrogen bonding. Compared to ionomers, where reversible crosslinks are typically not well defined, these hydrogen bonding polymers are associated through strictly binary contacts and thus provide a better opportunity to test theoretical ideas. By combining dielectric spectroscopy and dynamic mechanical measurement, we are able to identify both chain and junction dynamics and analyze their motional coupling mechanism. The results are discussed in the context of the sticky Rouse model.