Tuning the mechanical performance of polydicyclopentadiene copolymers through dicyclopentadienone monomer incorporation

Abstract

Engineering plastics are a class of polymer materials with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. Polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD) is an emerging example of this class of material derived from petrochemical waste. Herein, we describe the copolymerization of dicyclopentadiene with novel oxa-dicyclopentadiene monomer to produce mechanically and thermally tunable PDCPD-based materials. We also improve surface functionality while apparently reducing atmospheric oxidation, thereby addressing two major barriers to further adoption of this material.