L2M NSERC - A single atom upgrade to polydicyclopentadiene

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Polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD) is a strong, lightweight industrial polymer with high impact resistance and good mechanical strength. Despite finding significant utility in the automotive industry, however (where it is used to manufacture body panels for heavy trucks), the broader adoption of PDCPD has been hindered by the lack of modifiable chemical functionality within the polymer, as well as a low surface energy (making it difficult to paint freshly prepared PDCPD parts, or apply adhesives) and a foul odour due to entrapped dicyclopentadiene monomer (DCPD). Wulff group PhD student Ben Godwin has solved all of these issues through the manufacture of a modified form of the DCPD monomer, which contains a single additional oxygen atom. This new-and-improved monomer, which is accessed in a single photocatalytic step from DCPD itself, has no unpleasant odour, and can by polymerized to afford a material that has improved mechanical strength relative to the traditional, unfunctionalized form of PDCPD. Even better, the presence of the oxygen atom (which is retained in the polymer product) provides an improved surface energy and should allow for improved bonding to fiber reinforcing agents, allowing PDCPD to move from low-margin automotive applications to the world of aerospace manufacturing. With the support of the Lab2Market program, Ben is looking to transition this innovative technology to the commercial sphere.