Experimental investigation of the role of trapped entanglements in swollen polydimethylsiloxane networks

Abstract
A series of PDMS networks were prepared by endlinking reaction of α, ω-functional precursor polymers. The erosslinking reaction and the influence of incomplete reaction on formation of pendent chains are discussed. Equilibrium concentration and light spectroscopy measurements have demonstrated a decrease of the mesh size of the network with increasing concentration at which the latter is formed. These results are interpreted as a consequence of trapped entanglements.