Bulk ring-opening metathesis copolymerization of dicyclopentadiene and 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene: mixing rules, polymerization behaviors and properties

This work aims to explore the bulk ring-opening metathesis copolymerization of dicyclopentadiene and 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene by modifying the comonomer feed ratios. Thorough studies showed that their performance can be enhanced by polymerization at elevated temperature and there was a little deviation of properties from mixing rules. That is, the copolymers properties depend on monomer composition and can be roughly predicted by empirical mixing rules. We believe this can help researchers design and prepare ROMP derived polydicyclopentadiene copolymers and apply them in more applications.