Mechanophore-Linked Polymers for Studying Mechanochemical Response

An initial proof-of-concept experiment demonstrated that a mechanophore-linked polymer could be activated site-specifically via ultrasound-induced mechanical forces. Building on this idea, a method was established to synthesize mechanophore-linked poly(methyl acrylate) in an efficient manner using single electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET-LRP). The utility of this method was demonstrated with a spiropyran (SP) mechanophore that was found to undergo a mechanically induced 6pi-relectrocyclic ring opening. The mechanokinetics of the SP ring opening were probed and the reaction rate was found to increase linearly with increasing molecular weight. The analysis used for these studies will hopefully pave the way for future studies on the effect of molecular architecture on mechanochemical reactivity. Finally, we were able to realize a self-assessing mechanochromic material that directly couples mechanical energy to structural response, by incorporating a SP mechanophore into elastomeric and glassy 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

2015

Author dc:creator

• Potisek, Stephanie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Moore, Jeffrey S.

• Chemistry, Polymer

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3337890

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/84318