Method of cross-linking poly(ethylene oxide) and

USH1666H · kind H · statutory invention registration

Assignee

• United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force · US

Inventors

• John D. Stenger-Smith · China Lake, US
• Michael Lerner · Corvallis, US
• Steven E. Sloop · Bend, US
• John Patrick Lemmon · Delanson, US
• Andrew Tipton · Woburn, US
• Thomas Summer Stephens · Ridgecrest, US

Key dates

• Grant date: Jul 1, 1997

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly[oxymethylene-oligo(oxyethylene)](PEM) disks are cross-linked by exposure to UV radiation. The rate of formation of cross-links is greatly enhanced by the presence of benzophenone, and an average cross-link density of up to 6 mol% of ethoxy units can be obtained after irradiation. The highly cross-linked polymers are insoluble in water or organic solvents and show improved physical properties for handling and the formation of free-standing films. Dynamic modulus measurements and polymer swelling are employed to characterize the polymers. Dynamic modulus measurements show that, upon irradiation, PEO and PEM become cross-linked elastomeric solids.