Poly(ether ether ketone)s (PEEKs) exhibit high strength and inertness, and have found use in demanding applications such as medical implants and precision mechanical parts. Triptycene-based PEEKs (TripPEEKs) combine the structural rigidity and free volume of triptycene with the exceptional thermal and chemical stability of PEEK. Using TripPEEK derivatives, our group has previously demonstrated that these properties lead to enhanced performances in ion-exchange membranes. In order to expand the potential for further applications, we have developed novel synthetic routes to TripPEEKs with diverse and well-defined functionalities. Several applications that leverage the free volume and rigidity of TripPEEK will be discussed. We have explored the augmentation of free volume elements in order to create porous materials towards gas separation membranes, as well as the incorporation of pendant groups and polymer grafts with complex hydrogen-bonding behavior in order to construct tough, dynamically stiffening materials for impact protection.

Functional triptycene-based poly(ether ether ketone)s for porous and impact-protective materials

256th National Meeting (2018)

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