Ultrasound-Assisted Degradation of Poly(p-tert-butoxycarbonyloxystyrene) using TiO2 and Photoacid Generators

Poly(p-tert-butoxycarbonyloxystyrene) (PBOCS), a type of degradable polymer, which generates gaseous compounds, such as carbon dioxide and isobutene, was decomposed after ultrasound-irradiation and subsequent heating in the presence of titanium oxide (TiO2) and photoacid generators (PAGs). The decomposition behaviors of PBCOS containing TiO2 and PAG were investigated and discussed in terms of the chemical structures of the PAGs. Ultrasound-assisted degradation of the PAG was investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy. We believe that the degradation contributes to the easy recycling of composite materials.