A Novel Thermo-Sensitive Polymer Film and its Imaging Properties

Abstract

Three copolymers containing isobutyl p-styrenesulfonate (IBSS) and carboxyl units, i.e. methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methacrylic acid (MAA), were synthesized and their chemical structures and thermal behaviors were investigated by using TGA, DSC, FTIR and other methods. Films were prepared by using the synthesized copolymers in combination with a bisvinyl ether compound, i.e. 2,2-bis(4-(2-(vinyloxy)ethoxy)phenyl)propane (BVPP), to applied onto an aluminum plate. Crosslinking and de-crosslinking reactions would readily take place when the polymer films were baking treated at 100 oC and 200 oC for a short period of time, respectively. Along with the chemical structural changes during thermal treatments, an affinity change was achieved from being insoluble to completely soluble in neutral water. A positive-working and neutral water-developable imaging material was proposed and preliminary studies on the imaging properties were conducted.