Re-polymerization of polyphenylene-ether - A new concept of actively protective polymer materials

To clarify the mechanism of re-polymerization, polyphenylene-ether was remo ved from the catalyst and solvent before repolymerization by adding the cat alyst. Such re-polymerization proceeded in both solution and solid at the s ame rate of polymerization of 1,2-dimethylphenol (monomer). During the re-p olymerization of the purified PPE, its molecular weight increased due to ad ding another portion of the catalyst. Plasticizers also had an effect upon the increase of molecular weight when the mobility at the main chain was hi gher than in the case of the absence of plasticizer. Based upon our experim ental results, we suggest the new concept of actively protective polymer ma terials that self-repair in the case of thermal or mechanical degradation.