Methods for incorporating dynamic bonds into existing polymers
AssigneeNorthwestern University
InventorsDaniel Ryan Hart, Julia A. Kalow, Joseph V. Accardo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Synthetic methods for forming a crosslinked polymer network with dynamic bonds within its crosslinks from a pre-existing unsaturated organic polymer are provided. The dynamic bonds enable the resulting crosslinked polymer network to be chemically or mechanically recycled or otherwise reprocessed. Also provided are crosslinked polymer networks made using the synthetic methods and methods for reprocessing the crosslinked polymer networks using thiol exchange reactions.
Claims16
A method of forming a crosslinked polymer network having dynamic crosslinks, the method comprising reacting norbornene dithioalkylidene monomers with an organic polymer comprising an unsaturated carbon chain backbone, whereby the norbornene dithioalkylidene monomers are incorporated into the carbon chain backbone via ring-opening and cross-metathesis to form an organic polymer comprising thioether-functionalized polymer backbone chains;
- and
- reacting thioether groups of the thioether-functionalized polymer backbone chains with an organic crosslinker comprising multiple thiol groups to from a crosslinked polymer network.
A crosslinked polymer network comprising a reaction product of:
- a linear polymer that is the product of a ring-opening and cross-metathesis reaction between norbornene dithioalkylidene monomers and an organic polymer comprising an unsaturated carbon chain backbone;
- and
- an organic crosslinker comprising multiple thiol groups.
A method of reprocessing a crosslinked polymer network comprising a reaction product of:
- a linear polymer that is the product of a ring-opening and cross-metathesis reaction between norbornene dithioalkylidene monomers and an organic polymer comprising an unsaturated carbon chain backbone;
- and an organic crosslinker comprising multiple thiol groups, the method comprising dissolving the crosslinked polymer network in a solvent comprising an excess of thiol molecules that undergo thiol exchange with crosslinks in the crosslinked polymer network to sever the crosslinks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.