Mechanical Property Modification of “Living” Networks via PET‐RAFT Photopolymerization

“Living” polymer networks have the ability to grow in size and mass after initial polymerization through insertion of new monomers. In this work, a one-pot method is used prepare “living” modify their mechanical properties via photo-electron/energy transfer reversible addition-fragmentation chain (PET-RAFT) photopolymerization method. The are made from company-bought constituents (N,N-dimethylacrylamide [DMAm] monomer poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate [PEGDA] 700 crosslinker) so that no synthesis involved. study uses two different RAFT agents: asymmetric 2-(n-butyltrithiocarbonate) propionic acid (BTPA) symmetric S,S-dibenzyl trithiocarbonate (DBTTC). then modifies these parent with three monomers (acrylamide [AAm], DMAm, methyl acrylate [MA]) by recommencing PET-RAFT process. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) conducted on investigate effects photo-growth. also subjected compression testing, where daughter display modified dependent both choice agent symmetry.