| Abstract: | In search of a composite with low stress and low shrinkage properties, this study includes matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight analysis of the photoinitiated cationic polymerization between an expanding monomer 1,5,7,11‐tetraoxaspiro5.5]undecane (TOSU)] and a diepoxide bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE)]. Past studies using NMR and differential scanning calorimetry analyses concluded copolymerization indirectly on the basis of deviations from homopolymer product data. This is the first study to provide direct evidence of copolymerization between these species. Unlike previous research, this study enables the identification of the TOSU homopolymer and the absence of the BADGE homopolymer, suggesting initial cationic activation of TOSU. In addition to peaks that correspond to the presumed mechanism for six‐membered TOSU polymerization, many peaks have a net gain or loss of cyclic carbonate in support of a new polymerization mechanism participating in the reaction. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 5962–5970, 2005 |
