Synthesis and characteristics of polystyryl aluminium derivatives and their reaction with benzoyl peroxide

Thermal polymerization of styrene in the presence of AlEt₃ acting as the chain transfer agent permits the synthesis of polystyryl derivatives of aluminium (polySt) _nAlEt_3?n(poly St-Al). It is possible to regulate the length of the polymer radical over a wide range (P_n = 2–800) by altering the ratio of the monomer to the chain transfer agent. A high degree of substitution of ethyl groups occurs only for styryl derivatives containing relatively low-molecular weight substituents (P_n = 2?30). The reaction of polySt-Al with benzoyl peroxide occurs virtually instantaneously even at 0° and is accompanied by the formation of free polystyryl radicals. Their continuous formation was regulated by introducing catalytic amounts of pyridine as the electron donor into the reaction mixture. A polySt-Al (P_n = 30)BPPy system was used as an example of showing that these systems can be very effective initiators of the low-temperature free-radical polymerization of a series of acrylic and methacrylic monomers. The process yields a block copolymer. The data was used for the further development of the synthesis of block copolymers with initiating systems of the poly StAl-peroxide type under low-temperature free-radical polymerization conditions.     

Synthesis of block copolymers via redox polymerization

Polymerization and copolymerization of vinyl monomers such as acrylamide, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, and acrylic acid with a redox system of Ce(IV) and organic reducing agents containing hydroxy groups were studied. The reducing compounds were poly(ethylene glycol)s, halogen‐containing polyols, and depolymerization products of poly(ethylene terephthalate). Copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol)s‐b‐polyacrylonitrile, poly(ethylene glycol)s‐b‐poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene glycol)s‐b‐polyacrylamide, poly(ethylene glycol)s‐b‐poly(acrylamide‐co‐vinyl acetate), poly(1‐chloromethyl ethylene glycol)‐bpoly(acrylonitrile‐co‐vinyl acetate), and bis[poly(ethylene glycol terephthalate)]‐b‐poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐vinyl acetate) were produced. The yield of acrylamide polymerization and the molecular weight of the copolymer increased considerably if about 4% vinyl acetate was added into the acrylamide monomer. However, the molecular weight of the copolymer was decreased when 4% vinyl acetate was added into the acrylonitrile monomer. Physical properties such as solubility, water absorption, resistance to UV light, and viscosities of the copolymers were studied and their possible uses are discussed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 1385–1395, 1999     

Synthesis and characterization of pH/temperature-sensitive block copolymers via atom transfer radical polymerization

In order to prepare well-defined pH-sensitive block copolymers with a narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD), we synthesized a pH-sensitive block copolymer via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of sulfamethazine methacrylate monomer (SM) and amphiphilic diblock copolymers by the ring-opening polymerization of d,l-lactide/?-caprolactone (LA/CL), and their sol-gel phase transition was investigated. SM, which is a derivative of sulfonamide, was used as a pH responsive moiety, while PCLA-PEG-PCLA was used as a biodegradable, as well as a temperature sensitive one, amphiphilic triblock copolymer. The pentablock copolymer, OSM-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-OSM, was synthesized using Br-PCLA-PEG-PCLA-Br as an ATRP macroinitiator. The number average molecular weights of SM were controlled by adjusting the monomer/initiator feed ratio. The macroinitiator was synthesized by the coupling of 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide with PCLA-PEG-PCLA in the presence of triethyl amine catalyst in dichloromethane. The resultant block copolymer shows a narrow polydispersity. The block copolymer solution shows a sol-gel transition in response to a slight pH change in the range of 7.2-8.0. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and NMR were used for the characterization of the polymers that were synthesized.     

Polyamide‐6‐b‐polybutadiene block copolymers: Synthesis and properties

Polyamide‐6 (PA6)/polybutadiene (PB) block copolymers were synthesized with macroactivators (MAs) based on hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene functionalized with diisocyanates and having three N‐acyllactam chain‐growing centers per molecule. Two different diisocyanates, hexamethylene diisocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate, were applied as precursors for the MAs. The sodium salt of ε‐caprolactam was chosen as an initiator. The influence of the MA type and concentration on the anionic ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactam at 180°C was studied. A large percentage of the gel fraction in the copolymers was estimated, indicating crosslinked macromolecules. The structure and phase behavior of the copolymers were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. In the copolymers, only the PA6 chains crystallized, and the crystallinity depended on the PB content. Different glass‐transition temperatures for the PB blocks and PA6 blocks were observed, indicating microphase separation in the copolymers. The mechanical properties of the copolymers were studied by notched impact testing and hardness measurements. The impact strength increased linearly with the soft component concentration up to 10 wt % and reached values six times higher than those of the PA6 homopolymer. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 711–717, 2003     

Synthesis of block copolymers from PDMS macroinitiators

The synthesis of polystyrene‐b‐polydimethylsiloxane‐b‐polystyrene (PSt‐b‐PDMS‐b‐PSt) copolymers is described. Commercially available difunctional PDMS containing vinylsilyl terminal species was reacted with hydrogen bromide resulting in the PDMS macroinitiators. The terminal alkyl bromide groups were then used as initiators for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to produce block copolymers. Using this technique, triblock copolymers consisting of a PDMS centre block and polystyrene terminal blocks were synthesized. ATRP of St from those macroinitiators showed linear increases in M_n with conversion, demonstrating the effectiveness of ATRP to synthesize a variety of inorganic/organic polymer hybrids. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of acetophenone formaldehyde resin containing ABA type block copolymers by ATRP

Well‐defined ABA type block copolymers of acetophenone formaldehyde resin (AFR) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization. In the first step, acetophenone formaldehyde resin containing hydroxyl groups was modified with 2‐bromopropionyl bromide. Resulting difunctional macroinitiator was used in the ATRP of MMA using copper bromide (CuBr)/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyl‐diethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as the catalyst system at 90°C. The chemical composition and structure of the copolymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, and molecular weight measurement. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was used to study the molecular weight distributions of the AFR block copolymers. M_n up to 24,000 associated with narrow molecular weight distributions (PDI < 1.5) were obtained with conversions up to 79%. Coating properties of obtained block copolymers such as adhesion and reflectance values were investigated. They showed good adhesion properties on Plexiglass substrates. Reflectance values increased as the resin content of polymer increased. The thermal properties of all polymers were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). All block copolymers showed higher thermal stability than their precursor AFR resin. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Synthesis and self-association in aqueous media of poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(ethyl glycidyl carbamate) amphiphilic block copolymers

New temperature sensitive AB, ABA, and BAB amphiphilic block copolymers consisting of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) and hydrophobic poly(ethyl glycidyl carbamate) blocks were synthesized by anionic polymerization followed by chemical modification reactions. The self-association of the block copolymers in aqueous media was studied by UV-vis spectroscopy and dynamic and static light scattering. The obtained block copolymers spontaneously form micelles in aqueous media. The critical micellization concentration varied from 0.5 to 4 g/L depending on the copolymer architecture and composition. The influence of the temperature upon the self-association of the block copolymers was investigated. The increase of temperature did not affect the value of the critical micellization concentration, but led to the formation of better defined micelles with narrow size distribution.     

Synthesis of ethylene/1‐octene copolymers with controlled block structures by semibatch living copolymerization

A kinetic model was developed for the living copolymerization of ethylene/1‐octene using the fluorinated FI‐Ti catalyst system, bis[N‐(3‐methylsalicylidene)‐2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluoroanilinato] TiCl₂/dried methylaluminoxane is presented. The model was first validated by batch polymerization experiments. Kinetic parameters were estimated from the model correlations with online ethylene consumption rates and end‐of‐batch copolymer molecular weight. The model was then used to calculate the microstructural properties of ethylene/1‐octene copolymers with controlled composition profiles (uniform, diblock, and step triblock), which were synthesized using sequential comonomer feeding policies in semibatch copolymerization. The synthesized block copolymers had the exact composition distributions and molecular weights as the model simulated. It was demonstrated that the polymer chain microstructure in the living copolymerization of olefins could be precisely regulated by using semibatch comonomer feeding policies. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4686–4695, 2013     

Amphiphilic block copolymers bearing strong push-pull azo chromophores: Synthesis, micelle formation and photoinduced shape deformation

In this work, a series of amphiphilic diblock copolymers bearing strong push-pull type azo chromophores was synthesized through post-polymerization azo-coupling reaction scheme. The copolymers (P(CNAZO_m-b-MAA_n)), composed of 2-(N-ethyl-N-(4-(4′-cyanophenylazo)-phenyl)amino)ethyl methacrylate (CNAZO) and methacrylic acid (MAA) blocks, were obtained through four-step reactions. Firstly, precursor diblock copolymers (P(EMA_m-b-tBMA_n)) were obtained through sequential two-stage ATRP reactions of 2-(N-ethyl-N-phenylamino)ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and tert-butyl methacrylate (tBMA). Then, 4-amino-4′-cyanoazobenzene chromophores were introduced by azo-coupling reaction of P(EMA_m-b-tBMA_n) with diazonium salt of 4-aminobenzonitrile. Finally, P(CNAZO_m-b-MAA_n) was obtained through selective hydrolysis of the tert-butyl ester linkages in the tBMA blocks. Three block copolymers with the same CNAZO block length (m = 100) and different MAA block lengths (n = 5, 13, 23) were prepared by this method. The polymer and copolymers prepared in the process were characterized by GPC, ¹H NMR, UV-vis, DSC and TGA measurements. Results show that P(CNAZO_m-b-MAA_n) forms spherical micellar aggregates by gradually increasing the water content in THF/H₂O mixtures. The diameters of the spherical aggregates are related to the composition of the block copolymers and the water-adding rate. The block copolymer with larger molecular weight of the hydrophilic MAA block forms the aggregates with the smaller average size. The increase of the water-adding rate also shows an effect to reduce the diameters. Upon irradiation with a linearly polarized Ar⁺ laser beam, the spherical aggregates can be elongated in the light polarization direction. The deformation degree shows an almost linear dependence on the light irradiation time in the testing period. The deformed aggregates can recover the original spherical shape after thermal annealing at a temperature above T_g of the block copolymer.     

Synthesis of PPP-b-PS block copolymers using a combination of Suzuki-polycondensation and nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization

The synthesis of π-conjugated Nitroxide-Mediated Radical Polymerization (NMRP)-macroinitiators by Suzuki-polycondensation in a one-step reaction has been investigated using conventional and microwave-heating in presence of a suitable terminating agent. Alkoxyamine-functionalized poly(para-phenylene)s were initially synthesized by Suzuki-polycondensation and then its block copolymer with styrene by NMRP. Molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the polymers have been determined in SEC-measurements, while end-group determination was performed with MALDI-ToF-MS. Thin-layer-morphologies of the block copolymers were investigated using tapping-mode AFM.     

Adsorption of block copolymers at latex surface and their utilization in emulsion polymerization

Amphiphilic block copolymers have been investigated for their utilization in emulsion polymerization of butyl methacrylate. Special attention has been paid to the adsorption mechanism of the block copolymers from systematic measurements of equilibrium adsorption isotherms. A series of well-defined water-soluble amphiphilic block copolymers, composed of poly(butyl methacrylate) and poly(sodium methacrylate) blocks, were synthesized by anionic polymerization of butyl methacrylate and tert-butyl methacrylate followed by the thermal deprotection of the tert-butyl ester groups and final hydrolysis. The number density of emulsion polymer particles N_P varied as [copolymer]^α, α lying between 0.44 and 0.73 according to the hydrophilic content of the copolymers. In contrast with SDS taken as a reference emulsifier, the adsorption of the copolymers was very strong and this provided quite an efficient stabilization of the polymer particles during emulsion polymerization, even at low concentrations (<10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹) and low coverages (<10% of the interfacial area).     

Dithioester functionalization of poly(cyclohexene oxide) and its application to obtain block copolymers

A new method of introducing dithioester groups into the polymer chain of poly(cyclohexene oxide) is reported. It includes the use of diaryliodonium salt and an aromatic dithioacid as a redox couple to initiate the cationic polymerization of cyclohexene oxide. It was found that the dithioacid by itself cannot start the polymerization of cationic polymerizable monomers; however, in combination with a diaryliodonium salt, an exothermic reaction was produced, yielding a thiocarbonylthio‐functionalized polyether. Thermal profiles of the redox polymerizations were determined by means of optical pyrometry. A preliminary study showed that when the poly(cyclohexene oxide) functionalized with dithioester groups was introduced into the radical polymerization of styrene, the polystyryl growing radicals reacted with the dithioester‐functionalized polyether to form a block polymer. The amount of polyether actually incorporated into the block copolymer was calculated to be 70% of the initial amount of poly(cyclohexene oxide)/dithiobenzoic acid charged into the reactor. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Synthesis of methacrylic acid-styrene block copolymers by living radical polymerization in the presence of chitosan

The existence of living growing end radicals in the radical polymerization of sodium methacrylate (MAA·Na) in the presence of chitosan acetate salt has been ascertained by preparing block copolymers with styrene as secondary comonomer. When polymerization of MAA·Na eventually reached 93.4% conversion after 144 h at 30°C, secondary comonomer styrene added to the system undergoes further polymerization. Solvent extraction was performed to separate the homopolymers and block copolymers in order to determine the properties of the product. The results of the solubilities, of gel permeation chromatography and of ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance showed the characteristics of the block copolymers.     

Synthesis of block copolymers by combination of ATRP and photoiniferter processes

BACKGROUND: Block copolymers of monomers polymerizing by different mechanisms can be prepared by the transformation approach. A wide range of combinations of different polymerization modes has been reported in the literature. In this work, the transformation approach was further extended to the preparation of block copolymers by combining atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and photoiniferter processes. RESULTS: Photoactive morpholine‐4‐dithiocarbamate‐terminated polystyrene (MDC‐PS‐MDC) was prepared by the reaction of dibrominated polystyrene, obtained by ATRP, with morpholine‐4‐dithiocarbamate sodium salt in dimethylformamide. The structure of MDC‐PS‐MDC was confirmed by ¹H NMR and UV‐visible spectral analysis. The ability of MDC‐PS‐MDC to act as a photoiniferter for the block copolymerization of methyl acrylate was examined. The polymerization shows a ‘living’ character at up to 25% conversion and produces well‐defined polymers with molecular weights close to those predicted from theory and relatively narrow polydispersities (M_w/M_n ≈ 1.40). CONCLUSION: It is demonstrated that the end groups of polymers obtained by ATRP can be converted into morpholino‐4‐dithiocarbamate groups which act as photoiniferters. In this way, the desired mechanistic transformation between two controlled free radical polymerization methods can be achieved. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of block copolymers by radical polymerization of end-functional polystyrene

End-functional polystyrenes with an N,N-diethyldithiocarbamyl group were prepared by the photopolymerization of styrene with novel diethyldithiocarbamate derivatives as photoiniferters. Under ultraviolet light, the end-functional polymers could initiate a second monomer to polymerize and form block copolymers, such as polystyrene-b-poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene-b-poly(vinyl acetate), and polystyrene-b-poly(n-butyl acrylate). According to end group analysis and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, AB-type block copolymers were produced. The glass transition temperature and thermal stability of the block copolymers were investigated by means of thermal analysis. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 1169–1174, 1997     

Tailored surface properties of semi-fluorinated block copolymers by electrospinning

Diblock copolymers based on polystyrene (PS) macroinitiators and four different fluorinated monomers (perfluorooctyl ethyl methacrylate (FMA), pentafluorostyrene (FS), perfluorooctyl-ethylene oxymethyl styrene (EMS), 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-(3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10-heptadecafluorodecaoxy)styrene (FSF)) were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The lengths of the PS and fluorinated blocks were altered and the surface and self-assembling properties of the polymers were compared with respect to the fluorinated monomer used and the fluorine content. The surface properties, contact angles and surface tension, were enhanced by the existence of the CF₃ groups at the end of the alkyl chains compared with poly(pentafluorostyrene). Hydrophobicity of the surfaces was further enhanced by electrospinning the polymer solutions, which yielded superhydrophobic surfaces with water contact angles >150° for polymers having CF₃ groups.     

Synthesis of biodegradable and biocompatible ABC triblock copolymers

A facile approach is offered to synthesize well‐defined amphiphilic ABC triblock copolymers composed of poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (MPEO) as A block, poly(L ‐lysine) (PLLys) as B block, and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) as C block by a combination of ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) and click reactions. The propargyl‐terminated poly(Z‐L ‐lysine)‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (MPEO‐PzLLys‐PCL) diblock copolymers were synthesized via the ring‐opening polymerization of N^ε‐carbobenzoxy‐L ‐lysine N‐carboxyanhydride (Z‐L ‐Lys NCA) in DMF at room temperature using propargyl amine as an initiator and the resulting amino‐terminated poly(Z‐L ‐lysine) then used in situ as a macroinitiator for the polymerization of ε‐caprolactone in the presence of stannous octoate as a catalyst. The triblock copolymers poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether –block‐poly(Z‐L ‐lysine)‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (MPEO‐PzLLys‐PCL) were synthesized via the click reaction of the propargyl‐terminated PzLLys‐PCL and azido‐terminated poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (PEO‐N₃) in the presence of CuBr and 1,1,4,7,7‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) catalyst system. After the removal of Z groups of L ‐lysine units, amphiphilic and biocompatible ABC triblock copolymers MPEO‐PLLys‐PCL were obtained. The structural characteristics of these ABC triblock copolymers and corresponding precursors were characterized by NMR, IR, and GPC. These results showed the click reaction was highly effective. Therefore, a facile approach is offered to synthesize amphiphilic and biocompatible ABC triblock copolymers consisting of polyether, polypeptide and polyester. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Synthesis,characterization, crystalline morphologies and hydrophilicity of A4BA4 nonlinear block copolymers

Novel, well‐defined A₄BA₄ nonlinear block copolymers [poly(?‐caprolactone)]₄‐block‐poly(propylene oxide)‐block‐[poly(?‐caprolactone)]₄ (PCL₄‐b‐PPO‐b‐PCL₄) with eight arms were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization. An investigation of melting and crystallization demonstrated that the values of crystallization temperature, melting temperature and degree of crystallinity of PCL₄‐b‐PPO‐b‐PCL₄ were enhanced with an increase of PCL chain length. At the same time, the crystallizability of PCL segments was influenced by the star‐shaped structure of the copolymers and the amorphous PPO segments in the copolymers. Furthermore, PCL₄‐b‐PPO‐b‐PCL₄ showed crystalline morphologies that were different from that of linear PCL according to polarized optical microscopy. Moreover, the hydrophilicity of the copolymers could be improved and adjusted by the star‐shaped structure and the alteration of the relative content of the PCL and PPO segments in the copolymers.© 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Morphology and micromechanical deformation behavior of styrene/butadiene‐block copolymers. I. Toughening mechanisms in asymmetric star block copolymers

Lamellae‐forming styrene/butadiene star block copolymers are studied to investigate the influence of morphology on micromechanical deformation mechanisms and mechanical properties by using transmission electron microscopy and tensile testing. A large homogeneous plastic deformation of polystyrene (PS) lamellae is found in styrene/butadiene star block copolymers on the basis of the new mechanism called thin‐layer yielding. This mechanism depends strongly on the thickness of the PS lamellae. At a critical thickness of PS lamellae of about 20 nm, a transition from thin‐layer yielding mechanism to a crazelike deformation was observed. These new deformation zones are similar to crazes with respect to their propagation perpendicular to direction of external stress and similar to shear bands with respect to an internal shear deformation component of the lamellae in the deformation zones. As a result of our investigations, the mechanical properties of star block copolymers can be understood in correlation with morphology and micromechanical deformation mechanisms. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 683–700, 2002     

Synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic block copolymers of methyl methacrylate with poly(ethylene oxide) macroinitiators formed by atom transfer radical polymerization

Amphiphilic ABA triblock copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization in bulk and in various solvents with a difunctional PEO macroinitiator and a Cu(I)X/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine catalyst system at 85°C where X=Cl or Br. The polymerization proceeded via controlled/living process, and the molecular weights of the obtained block copolymers increased linearly with monomer conversion. In the process, the polydispersity decreased and finally reached a value of less than 1.3. The polymerization followed first‐order kinetics with respect to monomer concentration, and increases in the ethylene oxide repeating units or chain length in the macroinitiator decreased the rate of polymerization. The rate of polymerization of MMA with the PEO chloro macroinitiator and CuCl proceeded at approximately half the rate of bromo analogs. A faster rate of polymerization and controlled molecular weights with lower polydispersities were observed in bulk polymerization compared with polar and nonpolar solvent systems. In the bulk polymerization, the number‐average molecular weight by gel permeation chromatography (M_n,GPC) values were very close to the theoretical line, whereas lower than the theoretical line were observed in solution polymerizations. The macroinitiator and their block copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H‐NMR, matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, thermogravimetry (TG)/differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). TG/DTA studies of the homo and block copolymers showed two‐step and multistep decomposition patterns. The DSC thermograms exhibited two glass‐transition temperatures at ?17.7 and 92°C for the PEO and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blocks, respectively, which indicated that microphase separation between the PEO and PMMA domains. SEM studies indicated a fine dispersion of PEO in the PMMA matrix. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 989–1000, 2005