Mechanochemical Activation of Small Ring Cyclopolymers
Abstract
With the support of this award, we were able to explore mechanochemical activation of small ring cyclopolymers, which ultimately led to the discovery of flex activated mechanophores. These mechanophores take advantage of bond bending motions induced by polymer chain elongation, rather than more tradition bond stretching modes of activation. We found that flex activated mechanophores were uniquely capable of releasing small organic molecules upon activation, without bond scission occurring in the polymer main chain. Using this mechanophore design, we also demonstrated successive mechanophore activation upon consecutive loading cycles in an elastomeric material. In our investigation of other flex activated mechanophore designs, we embarked on related projects in the areas of triggered depolymerization and mechanochemistry of start polymers. Key results from these areas include mechanochemically- and thermally-triggered self-immolative polymers, a quantitative kinetic analysis of mechanical degradation of star versus linear polymers, and a practical approach for modeling chain scission in star polymers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA617738
Entities
People
- Andrew J. Boydston
Organizations
- University of Washington