Composition-controlled polymers, methods of formation, and uses thereof

Abstract

A composition of matter includes a mixture of styrene derivative monomers and methacrylate/acrylate derivative monomers, which form hydrogen bonds between/among different precursors, and initiators, and the compositions are used to achieve composition control of the forming polymer, with the mole fraction of acrylate/methacrylate and styrene moieties in the forming polymer determined preferably by the monomer reactivity and monomer composition rather than the viscosity of the monomers.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A composition of matter, comprising:
 two or more vinyl-containing monomer(s);   a hydrophobic solvent operable to inhibit intra-species hydrogen bonding; and   one or more initiators,   wherein the monomers form inter-species hydrogen bonds and undergo vinyl conversion to form a composition-controlled resin.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the two or more vinyl-containing monomer(s) are chosen from a group consisting of mixtures of methacrylate derivatives and styrene derivatives, and mixtures of acrylate derivatives and styrene derivatives; and   the monomers containing methacrylate derivatives or acrylate derivatives form hydrogen bonding with the monomers containing styrene derivatives.   
     
     
         3 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein the initiators are selected from a group consisting of:
 photo-initiator(s) including camphorquinone or derivatives,   a combination of camphorquinone or derivatives and amine(s), including ethyl-4-N, N-dimethyl-aminobenzonate; or   Phenylpropanedione or derivatives, including 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione; or   Bisacrylphosphine oxide or derivatives, including bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-phenylphosphineoxide (Irgacure 819), bis(2,6-dimethoxy benzoyl)-trimethylpentyl phosphine oxide, and 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, wherein the initiators may be used:   with/without diaryl iodonium derivatives, and   with/without boryl radicals including tert-butylamine borane complex.   
     
     
         4 . The composition of matter in  claim 1 , wherein the composition is used to achieve composition control of a forming polymer, wherein the mole fraction of acrylate/methacrylate derivatives and styrene derivatives in the forming polymer is determined preferably by the competing reactivity of monomers during polymerization and composition of the feeding monomers rather than the viscosity of the feeding monomers. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of matter in  claim 1 , wherein the composition control of the forming polymer is realized by enhancing polymerization rate through varying reaction conditions including increasing light intensity for photo-polymerization and increasing reaction temperatures. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is used as dental materials that are used with or without fillers as restorative materials, laminate veneers, denture, denture repairing materials, dental adhesives, resin reinforce cements, placement of ceramic restorations, and sealants. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is used in additive manufacturing with or without fillers to control the polymer composition, materials structure and mechanical properties. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is used to make thermal-set resins that are stable against environmental challenges consisting of hydrolysis, corrosion, enzymatic degradation, and bacterial challenges. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is used to make polymers as packaging materials, coating materials and adhesives. 
     
     
         10 . A composition of matter made by polymerizing the composition of  claim 1  with or without fillers using methods comprising light irradiation and/or heating. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of matter of  claim 10 , wherein the fillers are selected from a group consisting of:
 carbon nanotubes, graphene, metal oxide particles, ceramic particles, chitosan, polysaccharide particles, and   the particles are in nano-scale and micro-scale.   
     
     
         12 . The composition of matter of  claim 11 , wherein the composition is used as dental materials, restorative materials, laminate veneers, denture, denture repairing materials, dental adhesives, inlays and onlays, fixed bridges, implants, resin reinforce cements, placement of ceramic restorations, and sealants. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the composition is used in articles of manufacture comprising:
 sporting articles comprising golf club shafts and tennis racket frames; and   automobile body parts and interior components.   
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the composition is used in 3D printing. 
     
     
         15 . A composition of matter made by polymerizing the composition of  claim 1  after the composition infiltrates into pores of porous objects using methods comprising light irradiation and/or heating. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of matter of  claim 15 , wherein the porous objects are selected from a group consisting of:
 metal oxide, ceramic, chitosan, polysaccharide particles, metal, and wood.   
     
     
         17 . The composition of matter of  claim 15 , wherein the compositions are used as dental materials, restorative materials, laminate veneers, denture, denture repairing materials, dental adhesives, inlays and onlays, fixed bridges, implants, resin reinforce cements, placement of ceramic restorations, and sealants. 
     
     
         18 . A composition of matter made by polymerizing the composition of  claim 1  to make vinyl-free polymers, polymers with no polymerizable vinyl groups, using methods comprising light irradiation and/or heating. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of matter of  claim 18 , wherein the compositions are used independently or as a component in sporting articles comprising golf club shafts and tennis racket frames; automobile body parts and interior components; carbon fibers, medical devices, electronic devices, and solar cells. 
     
     
         21 . A composition of matter, comprising:
 two or more vinyl-containing monomer(s); and   one or more initiators, wherein the monomers do not form hydrogen bonds and the monomers undergo vinyl conversion to form a composition-controlled resin.   
     
     
         22 . The composition of matter of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the two or more vinyl-containing monomer(s) are chosen from a group consisting of mixtures of methacrylate derivatives and styrene derivatives, and mixtures of acrylate derivatives and styrene derivatives; and   the monomers containing methacrylate moieties or acrylate moieties don't form hydrogen bonding with the monomers containing styrene moieties.