One-pot blue-light triggered tough interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) using CuAAC and methacrylate reactions

Abstract

An interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) is formed in a one-pot blue-light activated scheme, where the step- and chain-growth polymerizations of the CuAAC and methacrylate reactions, respectively, are simultaneously triggered but proceed sequentially. The glassy IPN is polymerized under ambient conditions and is able to withstand high strain before failure owing to its significantly enhanced toughness. Additionally, this material exhibits shape memory attributes with readily tunable mechanical properties at high temperature.