Photo‐induced controlled radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate mediated by photosensitive nitroxides

Photosensitive nitroxides bearing different chromophore groups (benzophenone, naphthalene and quinoline) were synthesized and characterized. The photochemical properties of the synthesized products were investigated by UV?visible and fluorescence measurements. The results indicated that an efficient energy transfer from the chromophore moiety to the nitroxide radical moiety could occur within the molecular distances. The photo‐induced nitroxide‐mediated polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was performed using the photosensitive nitroxide/2,2‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenyl acetophenone as a bimolecular mediated system. The controlled character of the polymerization was confirmed by the linear tendency of molecular weight evolution with narrow molecular weight distribution (1.3?1.4). The experimental conditions, such as type of chromophore, initiator concentration and molar ratio of initiator/nitroxide, are discussed for a better understanding of the mechanism of the controlled polymerization. Using the polymerization products as macroinitiator, the chain extension reaction of MMA turned out to be able to re‐initiate further polymerization of the monomer. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Behavior of quaternary ammonium salt photobase generators on initiating free radical photo‐polymerization

Series of quaternary ammonium tetraphenyl borates salt photobase generators (PBGs) were synthesized using p‐methoxyphenacylmethylene and 2‐naphthoymethylene as chromophores, and triethylene diamine, pyridine or 3‐methyl pyridine as tertiary amine. The kinetics for polymerization of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) monomer using PBGs as free radical photo‐initiator was monitored by differential photo‐calorimeter (DPC). It was found that all the quaternary ammonium tetraphenyl borate salt photobase generators synthesized could initiate free radical polymerization of the acrylate monomer TMPTA by exposure to UV irradiation, but the activity was relatively low. Addition of a small amount of polar solvent to the system could largely increase the polymerization rate and final conversion. Photo‐polymerization was also improved by increasing light intensity or raising reaction temperature. PBGs with p‐methoxyphenacylmethylene as chromophore had higher absorbance at around 280 nm and showed higher activity in initiating photo‐polymerization than those with N‐(2‐naphthoylmethyl) as chromophore. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Photo‐Induced atom transfer radical polymerization with nanosized α‐Fe2O3 as photoinitiator

Photo‐induced atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was achieved in poly(ethylene glycol)‐400 with nanosized α‐Fe₂O₃ as photoinitiator. Well‐defined poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was synthesized in conjunction with ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate (EBiB) as ATRP initiator and FeCl₃·6H₂O/Triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) as complex catalyst. The photo‐induced polymerization of MMA proceeded in a controlled/living fashion. The polymerization followed first‐order kinetics. The obtained PMMA had moderately controlled number‐average molecular weights in accordance with the theoretical number‐average molecular weights, as well as narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n). In addition, the polymerization could be well controlled by periodic light‐on–off processes. The resulting PMMA was characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography. The brominated PMMA was used further as macroinitiator in the chain‐extension with MMA to verify the living nature of photo‐induced ATRP of MMA. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42389.     

Preparation of high molecular weight poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) in high yield by low‐temperature precipitation polymerization of N‐vinylcarbazole

To produce high molecular weight poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVCZ) with high conversion, N‐vinylcarbazole (VCZ) was heterogeneously polymerized in methanol at 30, 40 and 50 °C using a low temperature initiator, 2,2′‐azobis(2,4‐dimethylvaleronitrile) (ADMVN), and the effects of polymerization temperature and concentration of initiator and solvent on the polymerization behaviour and molecular parameters of PVCZ investigated. Globally, experimental results correspond to predicted ones. Low polymerization temperature using ADMVN and a heterogeneous system using methanol proved to be successful in obtaining poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVCZ) of high molecular weight and high conversion with small temperature rise during polymerization, although free radical polymerization by azoinitiator was used. The polymerization rate of VCZ in methanol at 30 °C is proportional to the 0.88th power of ADMVN concentration. The molecular weight is higher and the molecular weight distribution is narrower with PVCZ polymerized at lower temperatures. For PVCZ produced in methanol at 30 °C using an ADMVN concentration of 0.0001 mol/mol of VCZ, a weight average molecular weight of 1 750 000 g mol⁻¹ is obtained, with a polydispersity index of 1.82 © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Photo‐mediated metal free atom transfer radical polymerization of acrylamide in water

Photo‐mediated metal free atom transfer radical polymerization of acrylamide was conducted at 25 °C in water under visible light irradiation with water soluble 2‐hydroxy‐3‐(4‐benzoylphenoxy)‐N,N,N‐trimethyl‐1‐propaminium chloride (HBTPC) as photoredox catalyst and 2‐hydroxyethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate as alkyl halide. The polymerization followed first‐order reaction kinetics. The living character of photo‐mediated atom transfer radical polymerization of acrylamide was verified by the linear development of the polymer number average molar mass (M_n,GPC) with monomer conversion and narrow molecular weight distributions (?). The effects of acrylamide concentration, light intensity, amount of HBTPC, and tris(2‐dimethylaminoethyl)amine on polymerization were investigated. Increasing monomer concentration led to a higher M_n,GPC values with narrow ?. The polymerization rate increased with increasing the amount of monomer, light intensity, HBTPC and tris(2‐dimethylaminoethyl)amine. The polymerization was monitored by the periodic light on/off. The structure of polyacrylamide was analyzed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer and gel permeation chromatography. Successful chain extension experiments show the controlled nature of the polymerization. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46567.     

Synthesis of well‐defined comblike hydroxy‐functionalized atactic polystyrene promoted by metallocene/tin/poly(phenyl glycidyl ether)‐co‐formaldehyde

Well‐defined comblike atactic polystyrene functionalized with hydroxyl groups was synthesized via living/controlling radical polymerization promoted by metallocene complexes in the presence of poly(phenyl glycidyl ether)‐co‐formaldehyde as the initiator and Sn as a reducing agent. The effect of the polymerization conditions, such as the ratio of initiator to monomer, temperature, and polymerization time, and the structure of the metallocene complex on the polymerization process were investigated. The resulting polymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, multiangle laser light scattering, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR. The results show that the polymer had a narrow molecular weight distribution in the range 1.1–1.4 and the number‐average molecular weight of the polymer linearly depended on the monomer conversion within the polymerization timescale, which confirmed that living radical polymerization characteristics prevailed in the polymerization process. Both the number of arms and the number of hydroxyl groups in each polymer molecule were about four, which suggested that they arose from the epoxy functional groups of the initiator. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Free‐radical bulk polymerization of styrene with a new trifunctional cyclic peroxide initiator

The bulk free‐radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of a new cyclic trifunctional initiator, 3,6,9‐triethyl‐3,6,9‐trimethyl‐1,4,7‐triperoxonane, was studied. Full‐conversion‐range experiments were carried out to assess the effects of the temperature and initiator concentration on the polymerization kinetics, molecular weight, and polydispersity. Gel permeation chromatography was used to measure the molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution of polystyrene. When this multifunctional initiator was used for styrene polymerization at higher temperatures, it was possible to produce polymers with higher molecular weights and narrower molecular weight polydispersity at a higher rate. This showed that the molecular weight and polydispersity were influenced by the initiator concentration and the polymerization temperature in an unusual manner. Moreover, polystyrene, obtained with trifunctional peroxide, had O? O bonds in the molecular chains and was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry and gel permeation chromatography. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1035–1042, 2004     

Solution polymerization behavior of N‐vinylcarbazole by low‐temperature azoinitiator

N‐Vinylcarbazole (VCZ) was solution polymerized in 1,1,2,2,‐tetrachloroethane (TCE) at 30, 40, and 50°C using a low‐temperature initiator, 2,2'‐azobis(2,4‐dimethylvaleronitrile) (ADMVN); the effects of polymerization temperature and concentrations of initiator and solvent were investigated. On the whole, the experimental results corresponded to predicted ones. Low‐polymerization temperature using ADMVN proved to be successful in obtaining poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVCZ) of high molecular weight with smaller temperature rise during polymerization, nevertheless of free radical polymerization by azoinitiator. The polymerization rate of VCZ in TCE was proportional to the 0.46 power of ADMVN concentration. The molecular weight was higher and the molecular weight distribution was narrower with PVCZ polymerized at lower temperatures. For PVCZ produced in TCE at 30°C using ADMVN concentration of 0.00005 mol/mol of VCZ, weight‐average molecular weight of 271 000 was obtained, with polydispersity index of 1.66. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 1558–1563, 2000     

Synthesis and characterization of novel biodegradable poly(carbonate‐co‐phosphate)s

A series of aliphatic poly(carbonate‐co‐phosphate)s was synthesized in bulk using aluminium isopropoxide as initiator by ring‐opening polymerization with various cyclic carbonates (trimethylene carbonate (TMC) and 5,5‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC)) and cyclic phosphates (ethylene ethyl phosphate (EEP), ethylene isobutyl phosphate (EIBP), ethylene lauryl phosphate (ELP) and ethylene stearyl phosphate (ESP)). The influence of reaction conditions such as polymerization time, polymerization temperature and initiator concentration on the yield and molecular weight were investigated. The substituent effect of the cyclic monomers on the polymerization was also studied, and the results indicate that the substituents exert a marked influence on the molecular weight of the copolymers obtained. The comonomer reactivity ratios were determined (TMC 0.88 and EEP 1.17). The copolymers with backbone chains rich in phosphate content exhibit better hydrophilicity than that of TMC homopolymer, and the degradation rate of the copolymers increases with the increase of phosphate content therein. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization of 4‐vinylpyridine and its application on modification of silicon substrate

The poly(4‐vinylpyridine) with hydroxyl end group and narrow polydispersity was synthesized by polymerization of 4‐vinylpyridine by the use of nitroxide initiator based on 4‐hydroxy‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl and azobisisobutyronitrile. The effects of different initiator amounts and reaction time on polymerization rate, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution of the poly(4‐vinylpyridine) were investigated at bulk polymerization. The experimental results have shown that the polymerization of 4‐vinylpyridine is a controlled living free‐radical polymerization; the molecular weight is proportional to reaction time; and the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution are affected by molar ratios of [4‐hydroxy‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl]/[azobisisobutyronitrile]. By varying the ratio of 4‐hydroxy‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl to azobisisobutyronitrile, the poly(4‐vinylpyridine) with narrow polydispersity can be obtained. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show that the synthesized poly(4‐vinylpyridine) can be tethered on the surface of silicon wafer through the reaction between hydroxyl end of poly(4‐vinylpyridine) and native silicon oxide layer on the wafer surface. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2687–2692, 2002     

聚合条件对P（AN-co—IA）分子质量分布影响的研究

采用凝胶色谱（GPC）法测定了丙烯腈与衣康酸共聚物P（AN—co—IA）的重均分子质量和数均分子质量,并通过已知聚丙烯腈的重均分子质量数据和数均分子质量数据对所测的分子质量进行校正,进一步计算得到共聚物的多分散系数。同时研究了引发剂用量、单体浓度、聚合温度、聚合时间对P（AN—co—IA）分子质量分布的影响。研究结果表明,P（AN-co-IA）分子质量分布随引发剂用量的增大、聚合单体浓度的增加而变宽,与聚合反应温度、聚合反应时间无明显的变化趋势。     

Synthesis and photo‐curing behaviors of silicon‐containing (vinyl ether)–(allyl ether) hybrid monomers

A series of silicon‐containing (vinyl ether)–(allyl ether) hybrid monomers used in nano‐imprint lithography resists were synthesized and subjected to photo‐initiated polymerization. The surface energies of the monomers and the resulting polymer films were then investigated. The surface energies of the monomers were very low at less than 15 mJ m^–2. The photo‐curing behaviors of the five hybrid monomers were investigated using real‐time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The monomers were sequentially initiated with cationic (PAG201) and mixed (cationic initiator PAG201, radical initiator ITX or TPO) initiators. The vinyl ether double bond polymerized both rapidly and completely, whereas the allyl ether double bond remained when PAG201 was used as the photo‐initiator and polymerized completely with mixed initiators. The different double bonds of the silicon‐containing (vinyl ether)–(allyl ether) hybrid monomer increased the efficiency of the polymerization and overcame the intrinsic limitations of the free radical and cationic polymerization processes, including strong oxygen inhibition, large volume shrinkage and high humidity sensitivity. The five monomers with low viscosity, low surface energy, good thermal stability and good photo‐polymerization properties were suitable for nano‐imprint photoresists. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Superior real time method to evaluate photo‐curing resin by means of rigid‐body pendulum rheometer

The objective of this article is to establish a new method in evaluating photo‐polymerization resin reaction behavior, and to use the trends resulting from past evaluation methods and those already known to prove the feasibility of this method. Another objective is to compare the data gathered using the differential photo calorimeter (DPC) method and RPT on different photo‐polymerization resin systems to illustrate that the application of RPT on photo‐polymerization resin studies is more suitable. Experiment results show that the trends through the real time method using oxide series acrylate research through rigid‐body Pendulum Rheometer, the photo‐curing behavior under the various parameters of monomer functionality, and photo‐initiator concentration can all be observed. Comparing the DPC and RPT methods on polyester acrylate series, when the oligomer of tetra‐functional polyester acrylate is added with a different ratio of the monomer of propoxylated neopentyl‐glycol di‐acrylate, DPC evaluation methods show that the differences in observation are minimal. However, when RPT was applied, not only were the differences in reaction speed observed, but also the differences in crosslinking and other data in the hardening process when the balanced time was achieved during the oscillations procedure. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3402–3407, 2006     

Low‐temperature photoinitiation solution polymerization behavior of N‐vinylcarbazole in tetrahydrofuran

N‐Vinylcarbazole (VCZ) was solution‐polymerized in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at ?20, 0, and 20°C using the photoinitiation method; the effects of the amount of solvent, polymerization temperature, and photoinitiator concentration were investigated. On the whole, the experimental results corresponded to predicted ones. Low polymerization temperature using photoinitiation proved to be successful in obtaining poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVCZ) of a high molecular weight with a smaller temperature rise during polymerization; nevertheless of free radical polymerization by 2,2′‐azobis(2,4‐dimethylvaleronitrile) (ADMVN). The photo‐solution polymerization rate of VCZ in THF was proportional to the 0.47 power of ADMVN concentration. The molecular weight was higher and the molecular weight distribution was narrower with PVCZ polymerized at lower temperatures. For PVCZ prepared in THF at ?20°C using a photoinitiator concentration of 0.00005 mol/mol of VCZ, a weight‐average molecular weight of 510,000 was obtained, with a polydispersity index of 1.73, and a degree of lightness converged to about 99%. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3667–3672, 2002     

Preparation of high‐molecular‐weight poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) by the photoinduced low‐temperature solution polymerization of N‐vinylcarbazole in 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane

For the preparation of high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVCZ) with a narrow molecular weight distribution, N‐vinylcarbazole (VCZ) was solution‐polymerized in 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane (TCE) at ?20, 0, and 20°C with photoinitiation. The effects of the polymerization temperature and the concentrations of the polymerization solvent and photoinitiator on the polymerization behavior and molecular parameters of PVCZ were investigated. A low polymerization temperature with photoirradiation was successful in obtaining HMW PVCZ with a smaller temperature rise during polymerization than that for thermal free‐radical polymerization by azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). The photo‐solution‐polymerization rate of VCZ in TCE was proportional to [AIBN]^0.45. The molecular weight was higher and the molecular weight distribution was narrower for PVCZ made at lower temperatures. For PVCZ prepared in TCE at ?20°C with a photoinitiator concentration of 0.00003 mol/mol of VCZ, a weight‐average molecular weight of 920,000 was obtained, with a polydispersity index of 1.46, and the degree of transparency converged to about 99%. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2391–2396, 2003     

Tuning the particle size and charge density of the crosslinked polystyrene particles

We report the synthesis of charged spherical colloidal particles of poly [styrene‐(co‐2‐propene sulfonic acid)] crosslinked with divinylbenzene by emulsion polymerization. The effects of concentration of both the emulsifier and initiator on the polymerization, particle size, and charge density are studied. The particle size is found to be dependent on both the emulsifier and initiator concentration and their power dependencies are different. Below critical micelle concentration (CMC), the particle size varies significantly within a small range of emulsifier concentration. In contrast, particle size decrease is not very pronounced at the heterogeneous (micellar) particle nucleation regime where the emulsifier concentration is well above of the CMC. The power dependencies of the number of particles on surfactant concentration are explained in the light of conversion–time profile of the polymerization. The surface charge density of the colloidal particles also varies with both the emulsifier and initiator concentration. Both the particle size and charge density show an inverse relation with the molecular weight of the polymer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Kinetic behavior of photo‐polymerization of UV‐curable resins with carboxylic acid and amino groups

Photo‐polymerization behaviors of bisphenol‐A epoxy diacrylate (EPA) and six kinds of EPA‐derived resins containing different amounts of carboxylic acid, urethane, amide, and imide groups were studied by a photo differential scanning calorimetry. The dark polymerization was performed and pseudo‐steady state assumption of growing radicals was made to obtain the kinetic constants for propagation, bimolecular termination, monomolecular termination, and the concentration of growing radicals of different resins as a function of extent of reaction. Compared with EPA, it was found that the rate of polymerization and kinetic constants of the six resins were relatively small because the mobility of reacting species in resins was restricted by carboxylic acid, urethane, amide, and imide groups. Finally, three different photo‐initiators were used to initiate the polymerization, and their kinetic behaviors were compared. The effect of tertiary amine group of photo‐initiator on the rate of polymerization of resins having carboxylic acid group and the initiator efficiency were discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate at high temperature with 1‐butanethiol as chain transfer agent

The free‐radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) at high temperature (120 to 180°C) has been studied in the presence of di‐tertiobutyle peroxide as an initiator and 1‐butanethiol as a chain transfer agent. No solvent was used, and the polymerization was run to high monomer conversion. Based on the experimental data collected with a dilatometric reactor, the features of the reaction have been pointed out. Working at high temperature with a chain transfer agent proved efficient to reduce the intensity of the gel effect and control the molecular weight obtained. At a temperature up to 170°C, however, the burn‐out of the initiator limits the final conversion, and the increase of the polymerization rate during the gel effect has been more difficult to detect and quantify. An empirical expression of the termination rate constant has been adopted to describe the autoacceleration and predict the conversion versus time curves and the average molecular weight of the polymer obtained. The mathematical model includes two adjustable parameters that have been determined as a function of the temperature and the initial concentration of the chain transfer agent. The agreement between the predicted and experimental data on conversion and molecular weight was good, while the polydispersity index was often underestimated. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 1589–1599, 1999     

Ring‐opening polymerization of trimethylenecarbonate and its copolymerization with ϵ‐caprolactone by lanthanide (II) aryloxide complexes

Lanthanide metal (II) 2,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenoxide complexes (ArO)₂Ln(THF)₃ (Ln = Sm 1 , Yb 2 ) alone have been developed to catalyze the ring‐opening polymerization of trimethylenecarbonate (TMC) and random copolymerization of TMC and ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) for the first time. The influence of reaction conditions, such as initiator, initiator concentration, polymerization temperature, and polymerization time, on monomer conversion, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution of the resulting PTMC was investigated. It was found that the divalent complex 1 showed higher activity for the polymerization of TMC than complex 2 . The random structure and thermal behavior of the copolymers P(TMC‐co‐CL) have been characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, GPC, and DSC analysis. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Tert‐butyl peroxyacetate initiated semibatch polymerization of 1,1‐difluoroethylene in supercritical carbon dioxide

Due to its inertness and solubility in vinylidene fluoride, (VF2), supercritical carbon dioxide is used as a replacement solvent for producing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). tert‐butyl peroxyacetate (TBPA) was evaluated for the first time as a free radical initiator for radical chain polymerization of VF2 producing PVDF without use of a dispersion agent in a semibatch reactor using supercritical carbon dioxide. Diethyl peroxydicarbonate (DEPDC) at 75°C has been evaluated in many publications as an initiator in batch and continuous reactors for polymerization of VF2 in supercritical carbon dioxide. The effects of monomer and initiator concentration, agitation, and reaction time upon average molecular weight and polydispersity were evaluated using TBPA as an initiator at 104°C and compared with DEPDC initiated polymerization. It was found that as agitation rate, monomer concentration, and reaction time increased, the average molecular weight of PVDF using TBPA as an initiator increased. Lower concentrations of TBPA were needed compared to DEPDC to produce comparable molecular weights of PVDF. Using TBPA as an initiator at the conditions investigated resulted in lower polydispersity at similar monomer concentrations compared to DEPDC. Average molecular weights using TBPA ranged from 49,900 g/mol to 1.3 million g/mol and polydispersity ranged from 1.3 to 5.4. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:435–440, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers