Depolymerizable polymers explained

Depolymerizable polymers or Low-Ceiling Temperature Polymers refer to polymeric materials that can undergo depolymerization to revert the materials to their monomers at relatively low temperatures, such as room temperature. For example, the ceiling temperature Tc for formaldehyde is 119 °C, and that for acetaldehyde is -39 °C.[1]

Unlike stable polymers such as PVCs that have high thermal stability, depolymerizable polymers and closely related self-immolative polymers can be triggered by stimuli to break fast under moderate to low temperatures.[2] The first type of polymers, poly (olefin sulfone), was reported by Snow and Frey in 1943.[3] It was further confirmed and explained in terms of the thermodynamics of a reversible propagation step by Dainton and Ivin.[4] Closely related to depolymerizable polymers, self-immolative polymers can also irreversibly disassemble into their constituent parts in response to stimuli such as temperature, biological inputs or pH.[5]

Aspirational applications

Demand for recycling has also prompted search for polymers that are transient. For example, poly(phthalaldehyde) is a possible photodegradable substrate material for circuits.. Other applications include controlled release of small molecules, and as stimuli-responsive photoresists for lithography.[6] Some polymers are contemplated for controlled release of drugs.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Depolymerizable polymers: preparation, applications, and future outlook. MRS Communications. 2015-01-01. 2159-6867. 191–204. 5. 2. 10.1557/mrc.2015.28. Joshua A.. Kaitz. Olivia P.. Lee. Jeffrey S.. Moore.
  2. Peterson. Gregory I.. Larsen. Michael B.. Boydston. Andrew J.. 2012-09-25. Controlled Depolymerization: Stimuli-Responsive Self-Immolative Polymers. Macromolecules. en. 45. 18. 7317–7328. 10.1021/ma300817v. 0024-9297.
  3. The Reaction of Sulfur Dioxide with Olefins: the Ceiling Temperature Phenomenon. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 1943-12-01. 0002-7863. 2417–2418. 65. 12. 10.1021/ja01252a052. R. D.. Snow. F. E.. Frey.
  4. Reversibility of the Propagation Reaction in Polymerization Processes and its Manifestation in the Phenomenon of a 'Ceiling Temperature'. Nature. 1948-10-30. 1476-4687. 705–707. 162. 4122. F. S.. Dainton. K. J.. Ivin. 10.1038/162705a0. 4105548 .
  5. Roberts . Derrick A. . Pilgrim . Ben S. . Dell . Tristan N. . Stevens . Molly M. . 2020-04-08 . Dynamic pH responsivity of triazole-based self-immolative linkers . Chemical Science . en . 11 . 14 . 3713–3718 . 10.1039/D0SC00532K . 34094059 . 8152797 . 2041-6539.
  6. Kaitz. Joshua A.. Lee. Olivia P.. Moore. Jeffrey S.. 2015-06-01. Depolymerizable polymers: preparation, applications, and future outlook. MRS Communications. en. 5. 2. 191–204. 10.1557/mrc.2015.28. 138265011 . 2159-6867.
  7. 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b00965 . Triggering Depolymerization: Progress and Opportunities for Self-Immolative Polymers . 2019 . Yardley . Rebecca E. . Kenaree . Amir Rabiee . Gillies . Elizabeth R. . Macromolecules . 52 . 17 . 6342–6360 . 2019MaMol..52.6342Y . 202067871 .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Depolymerizable polymers".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.