Frontal polymerization is a polymerization process in which the reaction occurs directionally in a localized zone. The system developed involves the use of tandem radical and cationic initiators; diaryliodonium photoacid generators are reduced in the presence of thermally-generated radicals in order to facilitate rapid formation of cationogenic species capable of initiating cationic polymerization. Neat divinyl ether monomers and mixtures with epoxidized soybean oil a were polymerized frontally using this technique. Front velocity versus epoxy concentration was analyzed, along with the physical properties of the resulting polymers. Materials created were elastomeric thermosets, a first in the field of frontal polymerization.

Radical-induced cationic frontal polymerization using divinyl ethers

255th National Meeting (2018)

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