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Tailoring Photodegradation Rates Of Acetal-Containing Polymer Networks, Michael Sandoz

Honors Theses

In this thesis, we explore the degradation of poly (thioether acetal) thermosets via a photoinduced thiol-catalyzed ß-scission of acetal linkages incorporated as network crosslink junctions. Specifically, a library of bis-allyl acetal-containing monomers derived from para-substituted benzaldehydes was synthesized and formulated into photopolymerizable thiol-ene resins with commercially available thiol monomers. By varying the electron donating or withdrawing nature of the monomer substituent, we explored the impact of substituent effects on the rate of polymer degradation. Furthermore, we compare the results to those expected from a classical Hammett-type relationship of substituent electronic effects. FTIR was employed to track the appearance of the …