Stereoselective Copolymerization Enables Degradable, Semicrystalline Thermoplastics With Polyolefin-like Properties
Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Thermoplastics with excellent mechanical properties are broadly available and used ubiquitously. However, most end up in landfills or are downcycled. As a result, thermoplastics produced from sustainable materials and degradable into reusable materials are a desired commodity and their production is an active area of investigation. One approach to creating degradable thermoplastics is copolymerization: specifically, copolymerization between a monomer whose polymers usually provide the desired materials properties and a comonomer, which is capable of introducing degradable functionality into the copolymer (either innately or via its cross reaction with the first monomer). Herein, we report a novel stereoselective copolymerization between bio-derivable vinyl ethers and benzaldehydes that produces a stimuli-degradable analogue to isotactic poly(vinyl ether)s, isotactic poly(vinyl ether-co-benzaldehyde). This copolymer combines on-demand degradability with desirable material properties comparable to commercial poly(olefins).
DOI: 10.17615/341k-1x38
Author: Diamond-Hettinger, Christopher
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7118427679
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