Interpenetrating polymeric networks (IPNs) are used in an array of commercial applications ranging from medical dressing to automobile bumpers, but there has been a renaissance of new one-pot synthetic routes to design IPNs using a range of orthogonal chemistries. Here, we demonstrate a novel approach to photo-trigger the CuAAC and methacrylate reactions independently in a one-pot reaction scheme from a single photoinitiating system using blue-light (470 nm) to form an IPN structure. The photo-IPNs have rapid polymerization rates (&gt;90% conversion within 15 minutes) and excellent integration of polymer chains. The resultant IPN films are glassy and transparent, and their thermo-mechanical properties are readily tuned by varying the ratio of its two monomer components. Moreover, the presence of triazole rings formed via the CuAAC crosslinking reaction mitigates the brittleness of methacrylate providing an enhancement in flexural strain (&gt;40%). This photoinitiated approach provides spatio-temporal control over where and when the polymerization occurs, allowing photopatterning of the IPN. Finally, we demonstrate a unique shape recovery property upon thermal treatment after flexural deformation in these glassy materials.

One-pot blue-light triggered Interpenetrating Polymeric Network (IPN) from rapid CuAAC and methacrylate reactions with superior mechanical properties

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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