Strategies of programmed deconstruction for sustainable polymeric materials

Recent breakthroughs in materials chemistry have enabled the development of fully recyclable synthetic polymers and composites. Depolymerizable polymers, which are stable under ambient conditions and can be triggered to rapidly depolymerize by external stimuli such as heat, light, or chemical triggers, are finding broad applications in transient electronic devices, dynamic structural materials, and payload release systems. Low ceiling temperature polymers like cyclic poly(phthalaldehyde) are readily triggered to depolymerize via acid and heat, however these techniques are not easily accessible for on demand depolymerization. My work focuses on new methods of triggering transience via redox stimuli in cyclic poly(phthalaldehyde) materials and strategies of generating deconstructable thermosets via energy efficient frontal polymerization. Chapters 2 and 3 detail that cyclic poly(phthalaldehyde) can be readily depolymerized via oxidation through photochemical, electrochemical, and chemical stimuli. In chapter 4, we apply photoacid generators to generate photo-triggerable microcapsule for payload release systems. Chapter 5 focuses on using dihydrofuran comonomers for frontal ring opening metathesis polymerization of dicyclopentadiene thermosets. Dihydrofuran was found to have multifunctionality in FROMP, acting as both a potent inhibitor and as a cleavable moiety that enables thermoset deconstruction. The work detailed in chapters 2-5 has advanced methods of generating sustainable thermoplastic and thermoset materials and pave the way for new applications of recyclable materials.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Davydovich, Oleg

Contributors dc:contributor

• Moore, Jeffrey S
• Sottos, Nancy R
• Rodiguez-Lopez, Joaquin
• Evans, Christopher M

• Depolymerization
• Transient Polymers
• Thermosets
• Electrochemical Depolymerization

Statement dc:rights

• © 2022 Oleg Davydovich

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/116025

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F116025