We present results on associative network gels based on poly(lactic acid)-poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(lactic acid) (PLA-PEO-PLA) triblock copolymers. These materials form associative network gels with the PLA domains serving as network junctions. We can create nanoscale crystalline junctions through use of copolymers in which the PLA block is poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), or amorphous junctions through copolymers in which the PLA blocks contain a racemic mixture of D-lactic acid and L-lactic acid (PRLA). The viscoelastic moduli of these gels is very sensitive to both PLA block length and degree of crystallinity. Rheology on PLLA samples taken at different temperatures obey time-temperature superposition, with a shift factor that is nearly equal to the melting enthalpy of crystalline PLLA. Addition of inorganic particles that adsorb PEO provide an additional type of junction in these networks. These particles increase the elastic modulus and modify the energetics of the networks accordingly.

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