Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Developing novel yet recyclable plastics is necessary as society advances and increases reliance on materials. Using new classes of monomers enables the synthesis of unprecedented polymers for new applications. Here, we report copolymerization with bicyclo[1.1.0]butane monomers to make polymers with strained backbone units and analyze the thermal property changes based on the % incorporation of strained monomers. We discover that even low incorporation (5%–20%) of methyl bicyclobutane‐1‐carboxylate (MBC) to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) increases degradation temperature while decreasing glass transition temperature. Efficient depolymerization is achieved for copolymers with 20% or fewer MBC units under photothermal conversion. Other comonomers (2‐methoxyethyl methacrylate and oligo(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ethyl methacrylate) are also copolymerized with MBC, and we assess the changes in their thermal properties, including lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs). Our work expands the understanding of how the strained MBC monomer plays a role in copolymerization, thermal characteristics, and depolymerization of copolymers.
Source: Journal of Polymer Science
DOI: 10.1002/pol.20250307
Authors: Sewon Oh, Erin E. Stache
Institutions: Cornell University, Princeton University
Language: English
Subfield: Polymers and Plastics
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,380
Awards: G1134277896, G1321126357, G1647655023, G2415270547, G3631263731, Cornell Center for Materials Research - MRSEC, G5917061246, G7767248047, MRI: Acquisition of a Cryogenic Probe and Modern Console for Outstanding NMR Sensitivity to Benefit Research and Education at Cornell University, G8389919011
OpenAlex ID: W4409505823