Electronically optimized bis-diazirine crosslinkers allow aliphatic polymers to be crosslinked with up to 10-fold improved efficacy, relative to earlier designs. Activation is achieved using modest temperatures or through UV or visible light.
Chemical cross-links within polymers
increase mechanical
strength
and rigidity. Such cross-links can be either irreversible (e.g., those
derived from carbon–carbon bonds) or reversible (e.g., those
that depend on X–H···O hydrogen bonds). Here
we describe a ketone-functionalized derivative of polydicyclopentadiene
that establishes an unprecedented network of vinyl C–H···O
hydrogen bonds within the polymer. The resulting thermoset displays
a significantly increased glass transition temperature relative to
the unfunctionalized polymer, together with enhancements to storage
modulus, Young’s modulus, and compression strength.
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