Previous work has elucidated a methodology for fabricating flexible and elastic crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) constructs with high molecular weight between crosslinks<sub> </sub>by utilizing a simultaneous crosslinking and chain-extension methodology; however, these constructs suffer the poor mechanical properties typical of lower molecular weight crosslinked siloxanes (e.g. modulus, tear strength, and strain at break).<sup>1</sup>This work demonstrates that proper silicon-based filler selection (e.g. siloxane-based MQ copolymer nanoparticles) and incorporation provides a synergistic enhancement to mechanical properties, whilst maintaining a low viscosity liquid composition, at high loading content, without the use of co-solvents or heating. Rheology evaluates the viscosity while photorheology and photocalorimetry evaluate rate and extent of curing, of the various MQ-loaded formulations, demonstrating theoretical printability up to 40 wt% MQ copolymer nanoparticle incorporation. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile testing evaluated thermomechanical and mechanical properties of the cured nanocomposites as a function of MQ loading content, demonstrating a 3-fold increase in ultimate stress at 50 wt% MQ copolymer nanoparticle incorporation. VPP AM of the 40 wt% MQ-loaded, photo-active PDMS formulation demonstrates facile amenability of photo-active PDMS formulations with high MQ-loading content to 3D printing processes with promising results.

Vat photopolymerization of siloxanes: Synergistic incorporation of MQ copolymers

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.