Bottlebrush polymers via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP): Synthesis, properties and applications

Abstract

Bottlebrush polymers (BBPs) are a class of branch or graft macromolecules with polymeric side chains attached to linear backbone leading to cylindrical or worm like structures. Due to their unique architecture of polymers with long and densely grafted side chains, BBPs have attracted notable numbers of novel and unique properties useful for various applications from tissue engineering to photonics. Their unique structures characterized by densely-grafted side chains, allows for precise control of their properties and reduces issues with entanglements. This review delineates the recent advances in the synthesis of BBPs via living Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) and their properties, applications, highlighting the challenges and solutions in controlling their chemical structures, compositions and uses. Notably, the development of ROMP has transformed the polymer synthesis, specially the synthesis of bottlebrush polymers. ROMP is very powerful technique for achieving very high conversion of macromonomer for a range of concentrations and molecular weights of macromonomer leading to formation of BBPs with systemically varying backbone and side-chain lengths. The combination of BBPs’ versatility with ROMP’s precision in controlling the polymer’s size, shape, and functionality offers significant advantages in materials synthesis. By integrating these approaches, researchers can create customized bottlebrush polymeric materials with tailored properties, enhancing advancements in nanotechnology, energy storage and biomedical engineering. To the best of our knowledge there is no review reported on the synthesis of BBPs via ROMP.