Novel thiol-containing dual cure polymers and methods using same

A method of generating a polymeric material, comprising the steps of:

• providing a composition comprising a vinyl sulfone monomer, a thiol monomer, an acrylate monomer, and at least one catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises a base or nucleophile;
• submitting the composition to a first polymerization process, whereby the vinyl sulfone monomer is substantially polymerized and the acrylate monomer is substantially not polymerized;
• and,
• submitting the composition to a second polymerization process, whereby the acrylate monomer is substantially polymerized;
• thereby generating the polymeric material.

A method of generating a polymeric material, comprising the steps of:

• providing a composition comprising an electrophilic monomer, a nucleophilic monomer, a nucleophilic catalyst and an acid, wherein the concentrations of the nucleophilic catalyst and acid are selected as to provide a specific induction time for the polymerization reaction of the electrophilic monomer and the nucleophilic monomer;
• shaping the composition to a desired form or shape within the specific induction time;
• and,
• allowing the composition to undergo polymerization, thereby generating the polymeric material.