Construction of Mechanochemical Polymers with Controllable Degradation and Tunable Performance via Polymer Backbone...

Conventional synthetic polymers face a critical sustainability challenge due to their environmental persistence. This study introduces a sustainable polymer platform combining environmental degradability with exceptional material stability through direct cyclobutane incorporation into polymer backbones via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Capitalizing on cyclobutane's high ring strain (26 kcal/mol), these polymers undergo ultrasound-triggered backbone scission, and the resulting polymers achieve three critical advances: ultrasound-triggered degradation via selective backbone scission, great resistance to harsh acidic (pH 1) and thermal environments, and tunable mechanical properties controlled by cyclobutane content (0-22 mol %). Unlike existing systems, this design maintains structural integrity during operation but undergoes rapid backbone scission under targeted mechanical stress, resolving the historical trade-off between durability and degradability. The ROMP platform's architectural precision supports the scalable synthesis of high-performance polymers adaptable to industrial applications. By integrating on-demand recyclability through mechanochemical pathways, this work provides a blueprint for next-generation sustainable materials that simultaneously meets operational demands and circular economy requirements.