(602f) Manufacturing of High-Performance Polymers through Controlled Frontal Polymerizations

Frontal ring-opening metathesis polymerization (FROMP) is inherently a thermal runaway reaction that rapidly propagates to form polymeric materials with little energy input. While this has been used with monomers such as dicyclopentadiene to form high-performance thermoset materials, the dangers thermal run aways pose are undesirable. Here, we demonstrate the use of photobase generators (PBGs) to inhibit and decompose the catalytic initiator in situ, thus, spatiotemporally controlling the FROMP. This spatiotemporal control using a low-energy UV light source (e.g., projector), allows for the manufacturing of parts without the need for a formed mold. Importantly, the inhibition process has a degree of reversibility allowing for the resin to be later re-initiated – averting waste – with no loss in thermomechanical properties.