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Synthesis of Programmable Main-chain Liquid-crystalline Elastomers Using a Two-stage Thiol-acrylate Reaction
Published on: January 19, 2016
Modifying network chemistry in thiol-acrylate photopolymers through postpolymerization functionalization to control
Amber E Rydholm1, Nicole L Held, Danielle S W Benoit
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0424, USA.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part A
|October 18, 2007
Summary
This study presents a high-throughput FTIR method to quantify unreacted thiol groups in thiol-acrylate photopolymers. This technique enables precise control over post-polymerization modification reactions and chemical patterning.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Thiol-acrylate photopolymers can retain unreacted pendant thiol groups after polymerization.
- Quantifying these pendant thiols is crucial for understanding network properties and enabling further modifications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a high-throughput method for quantifying pendant thiol groups in thiol-acrylate photopolymers.
- To demonstrate the utility of these pendant thiols for post-polymerization modification and chemical patterning.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy on thiol-acrylate microspot arrays.
- Investigated modification reactions including photocoupling and Michael-type addition.
- Controlled modification extent via pendant thiol concentration and reaction time.
Main Results:
- Quantified over 25% of original thiol groups as pendant in specific microspots.
- Demonstrated successful post-polymerization tailoring of network chemistry.
- Achieved spatial and temporal control of chemical patterning using photocoupling.
Conclusions:
- FTIR microspot arrays offer an efficient method for pendant thiol quantification.
- Pendant thiols provide versatile handles for controlled polymer network modification.
- Light-controlled modification enables advanced chemical patterning in photopolymers.
