Several biomaterials undergo autonomous repair by a depolymerization-repolymerization sequence of remodeling when damaged by aging or stress. The integration of this concept into synthetic materials systems can be achieved by using low ceiling temperature polymers. These polymers can depolymerize to their monomer, which in turn can be repolymerized as needed. We hypothesized that mid-chain scission of end-capped poly(o-phthalaldehyde) (PPA) by mechanical force would produce two metastable chains which depolymerize back to o-phthalaldehyde monomer. PPA solutions were subjected to acoustic fields generated by an ultrasound horn and depolymerization to monomer was observed. The obtained monomer was repolymerized by a chemical initiator, effectively completing a depolymerization-repolymerization cycle. Mimicking biomaterials, this model system may lead to smart functional polymers where aging or mechanical damage triggers depolymerization and orthogonal conditions regenerate the polymer when and where necessary.

Mechanically-triggered depolymerization

246th National Meeting (2013)

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