Stimuli-Responsive Plastics
Abstract
This proposal aims to (i) test a new and potentially transformative hypothesis for how to design new classes of depolymerizable polymers that are capable of rapid depolymerization in the context of solid materials, (ii) substantially expand the classes of polymers that depolymerize in the solid state, (iii) move beyond simple proof-of-concept studies of self-immolative polymers by fine-tuning the rate of response of a polymer class that has potential to serve as an alternative to existing plastics, and (iv) introduce a new area of responsive soft materials. The underlying concept of a continuous, amplified depolymerization event distinguishes depolymerizable/self-immolative polymers from other classes of stimuli-responsive polymers, the latter of which typically change properties in a stoichiometric, rather than an amplified manner. Achieving macroscopic changes in materials due to trace quantities of specific signals via the amplified depolymerization response offers potential for a variety of DOD-relevant applications. Likewise, learning how to design self-immolative polymers that are capable of depolymerizing in the context of solid state plastics will advance the area of stimuli-responsive polymer chemistry by defining principles for balancing the stability of polymers with their controlled rate of degradation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 09, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF2010193
Entities
People
- Scott T. Phillips
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Boise State University
- United States Army