Preparation and characterization of polyelectrolyte copolymers containing methyl methacrylate,and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. II. Polymers based on dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate

Co- and terpolymers containing dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were prepared by solution polymerization, and characterized by dilute solution viscometry and proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Polymers were prepared containing 75, 60, 40, 25, and 10 mol % DMAEMA but with differing levels of MMA and HEMA. Polymer solutions were titrated under nitrogen to obtain variations of pKb with alpha (the extent of protonation of the DMAEMA residue). From these experiments, we were able to show that, as expected, the cooperative nature of the ionization process decreased as the level of DMAEMA in the polymer was reduced from 75 mol % to 10 mol %. By comparing polymers containing similar amounts of DMAEMA monomer, we were also able to show that base strength increased with the polarity of the uncharged portion of the polymer, in other words, that polymers containing higher levels of HEMA were stronger bases than polymers containing higher levels of MMA. This effect was rationalized by assuming that higher contents of the more polar HEMA monomer facilitated the coil expansion that accompanied the process of ionization, thus increasing charge separations at corresponding values of alpha and increasing base strength.     

Stereospecific anionic polymerization and copolymerization of 1,1-diphenylethyl methacrylate

1,1-Diphenylethyl methacrylate (DPEMA), which is a new methacrylic ester, was synthesized and polymerized by n-butyllithium (n-BuLi) in toluene and THF. The triad tacticity of the polymers was determined from the n.m.r. spectrum of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) which was derived from them. A highly stereoregular polymer was not formed either in toluene or in THF by n-BuLi between ?78° and 30°C. In toluene, the tacticity depended very much on the polymerization temperature, and unexpectedly, the polymer obtained at ?78°C was rich in syndiotacticity. The polymers obtained in THF were atactic regardless of the temperature. A highly isotactic polymer was formed with Grignard reagents. DPEMA (M₁) was also copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA), diphenylmethyl methacrylate (DPMMA), and trityl methacrylate (TrMA) (M₂) in toluene and THF with n-BuLi; the tacticity of the copolymers was determined. Generally, the stereoregularity of the copolymers was lower than those of the M₂ homopolymers. In the copolymerization with MMA monomer reactivity ratios were also determined.     

Synthesis and polymerization of a new iodine‐containing monomer

A new iodine‐containing methacrylate monomer, 3,4,5‐triiodobenzoyloxyethyl methacrylate (TIBEM), was synthesized by coupling 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with 3,4,5‐triiodobenzoic acid. The monomer was characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared (IR), and ultraviolet spectra. Homopolymerization and copolymerization of the monomer with methyl methacrylate (MMA) were carried out using 2,2′‐azobis isobutyronitrile as the initiator. A terpolymer of TIBEM, MMA, and HEMA was also synthesized. The copolymers were characterized by IR, gel permeation chromatography, differential thermal analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). High molecular weight polymers were produced with MMA at different feed compositions of TIBEM. The polymers were found to be freely soluble in common solvents for acrylic polymers. TGA showed little decomposition of the copolymer below 280°C. Copolymers showed good radiopacity at 25 wt % of TIBEM in the feed. These copolymers could find applications in medical and dental areas where radiopacity is a desirable feature of the implants. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2580–2584, 2003     

Tacticity of methacrylic copolymers and their crosslinked polymers studied by pyrolysis–gas chromatography

Diad tacticity of methyl methacrylate (MMA) sequences in the copolymers of MMA and various acrylates and their crosslinked polymers was characterized by pyrolysis–gas chromatography (Py‐GC) based on the relative peak intensities of the diastereomeric MMA tetramers in the pyrograms. The diad tacticity in the copolymers synthesized at a given temperature proved to be almost consistent with that of corresponding MMA homopolymers (PMMA) prepared under the same conditions. Furthermore, the diad tacticity of PMMAs was also consistent with that of the corresponding crosslinked polymers. These results suggest that the tacticity of MMA sequences in the polymer chains would be dominated by polymerization temperature, independent of the copolymerization and crosslinking. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 2140–2144, 2000     

Thermal analysis and NMR studies of methyl methacrylate (MMA)–methacrylic acid copolymers synthesized by an unusual polymerization of MMA

Methyl methacrylate–methacrylic acid (MMA–MAA) copolymers were prepared from the polymerization reaction of the methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer with concentrated nitric acid (65% HNO₃) at different reaction times in the absence of other reagents in the reaction mixture. The hydrolysis degrees of the MMA–MAA (sodium salts) copolymers estimated by thermogravimetry (TG) corroborated the data obtained by chemical titration. By calorimetry (DSC), a relationship between the glass transition temperature (T_g) and the hydrolysis degree was obtained. The results presented a deviation from linear behavior and it was related to the strength of the interactions involved in the copolymer chains. The equation that relates the glass transition temperature to the interaction parameter, χ, for miscible binary polymer blends was applied for the MMA–MAA copolymers and demonstrated the composition dependence of χ. The molecular mobility was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in the solid state and through the proton spin‐lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame. The NMR data were in a good agreement with the results obtained by calorimetry. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 495–507, 2000     

The tacticity of poly(tri-n-butyl tin methacrylate) determined by 13C n.m.r.

The tacticities of poly(tri-n-butyl tin methacrylate)s prepared with radical initiators at various temperatures have been measured by ¹³C n.m.r. As expected, the polymers are predominantly syndiotactic and this syndiotacticity decreases with an increase in temperature. The activation parameters governing the tacticity are similar to those published for poly(methyl methacrylate) but differ somewhat from values published for poly(trimethyl tin methacrylate).     

Synthesis of well‐defined comb‐like amphiphilic copolymers with protonizable units in the pendent chains: 1. Preparation of narrow polydispersity copolymers of methyl methacrylate and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate by atom‐transfer radical polymerization

Well‐defined methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2‐(trimethylsiloxy)ethyl methacrylate (Pro‐HEMA) copolymers were prepared by atom‐transfer radical polymerization(ATRP), using CuCl/2,2′‐bipyridine as catalytic system and p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride as initiator. ATRP process of MMA and Pro‐HEMA was monitored by ¹H NMR, and the kinetic curves of the MMA/Pro‐HEMA copolymerization were plotted in terms of the ¹H NMR data. At low content of Pro‐HEMA in the feed composition, the copolymerization can be well controlled with the molecular weight, polydispersity and the monomer distribution in the copolymer chain. With the increase of Pro‐HEMA content in the feed mixture, the composition of the final copolymer deviates from the composition of the feed mixture gradually, and gradient copolymers of MMA/Pro‐HEMA can be obtained. Through the hydrolysis process, well‐defined copolymers of MMA/HEMA were obtained from poly(MMA/Pro‐HEMA). Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

pH‐sensitive acrylic‐based copolymeric hydrogels for the controlled release of a pesticide and a micronutrient

Acrylic‐based copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methacrylic acid (MAA) have been prepared by solution and bulk polymerization techniques using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator. Three polymers were prepared with a varying ratio of MMA/MAA. In an effort to increase the hydrophilicity of the matrix, one MMA/MAA polymer was prepared by adding an additional amount of 2‐hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA). All the polymers were crosslinked in situ by ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). These polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Viscous flow characteristics were determined from solution viscosity and rheological measurements. Dynamic and equilibrium swelling experiments were carried out under varying pH conditions (i.e., 0.1N NaOH, 0.1N HCl, and double‐distilled water). Partially crosslinked hydrogels show varying hydrophilicity because of the presence of carboxylic acid groups making them pH‐responsive. Swelling increased with an increasing number of —COOH groups on the polymer backbone and the hydrophilicity varied with changing pH. Cypermethrin, a widely used pesticide, and cupric sulfate, a model micronutrient, were loaded into these pH‐sensitive hydrogels to investigate their controlled release characteristics. The in vitro release rates of both compounds have been carried out under static dissolution conditions at 30°C. Release data have been fitted to an empirical relation to estimate transport parameters. The release results have been discussed in terms of the varying hydrophilicity of the hydrogel network polymers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 394–403, 2003     

Synthesis and polymerization of some iodine-containing monomers for biomedical applications

Triiodophenol and iothalamic acid (5-acetamido-2,4,6-triio-N-methyl isophthalamic acid) were converted to their acrylic derivatives by esterfication with methacryloyl chloride and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), respectively. The monomers due to presence of heavy iodine atoms were expected to be radiopaque in nature. The monomers were characterized using TLC, IR, and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. Both monomers were highly resistant to homopolymerization and copolymerization with other acrylic monomers such as methyl methacrylate (MMA) or HEMA by initiators such as 2,2′-azobis isobutyronitriie (AIBN) or benzoyl peroxide (BPO) yielding only polymers of low molecular weight. The polymers obtained were charactrized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The resistance to polymerization is presumably due to the presence of bulky iodine atoms in the monomers sterically hindering the propagation step. The decomposition temperatures of the homopolymers and copolymers were close to 300°. Copolymers of HEMA with both radiopaque monomers incorporated to the extent of 25 wt % in the feed, however, produced polymers with good radiopacity. Copolymers with HEMA were also prepared in the form of microspheres by a solvent evaporation method with the aim of using them as particles in therapeutic embolization. While the polymer based on triiodophenol was found to cause extensive blood haemolysis in in vitro tests, polymer based on iothalamic acid was found to be nonhemolytic in character suggesting that copolymers based on iothalamic acid would be suitable for implantation in the living tissue.     

Photomodification of polymer surface by utilizing photoinitiated amino-groups formation–effects of comonomers on the dyeing of irradiated polymer surface

Photomodifications of polymer surface are investigated from the viewpoint of dyeing of the irradiated polymer surface. For this purpose, several kinds of acryloyl acetophenone oxime (AAPO) copolymers are prepared. As the other monomer components, methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene (St), 2,3-epoxypropyl methacrylate (EPMA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), N-vinyl pyrroridone (NVP), and n-butyl methacrylate (BMA) are used. In the photolysis of acyloxyimino (AOI) groups in AAPO copolymers, alkylimino groups can be introduced very effectively, which can be easily transformed to ammonium groups by hydrolysis in an aqueous solution of HCI. The surface of AAPO copolymers becomes dyeable with an acid dye (Congo Red) by the irradiation followed by HCI treatment and the degree of dyeing of the surface depends on not only the contents of ammonium groups but also the physical properties of the other monomer components. Although the hydrophilic or polar monomer such as NVP, HEMA, and MMA are cooperative for dyeing, the hydrophobic monomer such as St decreases the function of ammonium groups for dyeing. Although the undecomposed AAPO components in AAPO–MMA do not affect the degree of dyeing up to 24.5 mol % of AAPO contents in AAPO–MMA copolymers, they show the inhibition effect for dyeing of AAPO(38.8)–MMA at an earlier stage in irradiation. Aromatic moieties in AAPO are thought to inhibit the dyeing.     

High porosity,responsive hydrogel copolymers from emulsion templating

Hydrogels, three‐dimensional hydrophilic polymer network structures, can absorb many times their dry weight in water. PolyHIPEs are highly porous polymers synthesized within high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). Here, the water uptakes in novel hydrogel polyHIPE copolymers of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA, a non‐ionic monomer) and methacrylic acid (MAA, an ionic monomer) were investigated. The PHEMA‐based polyHIPE had a density of 0.14 g cm^?3, void diameters of 50–100 µm and a void‐dominated Fickian water uptake of around 10.4 g g^?1. The polyHIPE density increased, and the porous structure became less polyHIPE‐like, with increasing MAA content, reflecting a reduction in the stability of the HIPE. The water uptake increased with increasing pH for all the copolymers and the water absorption mechanism changed from Fickian at pH 2 to anomalous, dominantly case II, at pH 10. The maximum uptake of 18.2 g g^?1 at pH 10, for a HEMA to MAA mass ratio of 1/1, was ascribed to hydrogel‐swelling‐driven void expansion. The hydrogel's absorptive and responsive properties were amplified by the polyHIPE's porous structure. These results demonstrate that the compositions of hydrogel polyHIPE copolymers can be designed to enhance their water uptake. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comonomer effects on binding performances and morphology of acrylate-based imprinted polymers

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different functional groups of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) on the binding characteristics towards a specific template molecule by examining selectivity and recognition processes. Several non-covalent theophylline imprinted polymers (TIPs) were prepared by using only methacrylic acid (MAA), or MAA and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) comonomer, or MAA and acrylamide (ACM) comonomer. In all cases, a high amount of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as crosslinker existed in the medium. The highest selective theophylline binding of TIPs was found to be 61%, 41% and 40% for MAA/EDMA, MAA/HEMA/EDMA and MAA/ACM/EDMA systems, respectively. The use of a comonomer (ACM or HEMA) reduced the binding performance of the MAA/EDMA polymer matrix, probably due to the monomer-monomer association and morphological differences. Results obtained from the batch binding experiments demonstrated that all of the TIPs have sites that have selective binding ability for theophylline, but not to another structurally similar molecule, caffeine. According to the Langmuir isotherm model, a heterogeneous distribution of binding sites was observed in the polymers. The maximum association constant and binding site density were computed as 2.3 × 10² mM⁻¹ and 8.6 μmol/g, respectively, for copolymer of MAA/EDMA under the examined concentration range.     

Characterization of methacrylic polymers by calorimetry and infrared analyses

Methyl methacrylate–methacrylic acid (MMA–MAA) copolymers, prepared by the action of concentrated nitric acid (65% HNO₃) on methyl methacrylate in absence of other reagents, were characterized using calorimetry (DSC) and infrared (FTIR) analyses. DSC curves of ester/acid copolymers suggested the anhydride formation at ∼ 200°C, which was corroborated by thermogravimetry (TG). This structure was assigned by FTIR spectra. The results obtained by DSC data are in good agreement with the hydrolysis degree of the MMA–MAA copolymers obtained from chemical titration. The molecular weight of the copolymers were estimated by viscometry. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 68:345–354, 1998     

Physical,chemical, and dyeing properties of Bombyx mori silks grafted by 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate

To obtain silk weight gain and to improve silk properties, Bombyx mori silks were grafted with either 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) or methyl methacrylate (MMA). The moisture regain of the HEMA‐grafted and MMA‐grafted silks depended on the hydrophilicity of the used monomers. The acid and alkaline resistances of the HEMA‐grafted and MMA‐grafted silks were clearly improved. Both commercial synthetic dyes, that is, acid and reactive dyes, and a natural dye extracted from turmeric, with potassium aluminum sulfate as a mordant, were used in this study. The results suggested that the dye uptake increased in the presence of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) or poly(methyl methacrylate) in the silk fibroin structures when acid and curcumin dyes were used. The washfastness level of the HEMA‐grafted silk dyed by acid and reactive dyes was similar to that of the degummed silk. However, the colorfastness to washing of the MMA‐grafted silk dyed by an acid dye was improved when the polymer add‐on concentration was 65%. In addition, the washfastness for both grafted silks was improved when they were dyed with natural curcumin dyestuff. The acid and alkaline perspiration fastness properties remained unchanged for the HEMA‐grafted and MMA‐grafted silks when acid, reactive, and curcumin dyes were applied. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Preparation of highly syndiotactic block copolymers of methyl methacrylate and lauryl methacrylate and their characterization

Summary Highly syndiotactic diblock and triblock copolymers comprising lauryl methacrylate (LMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) with narrow molecular weight distributions were prepared by the living anionic polymerization with t-C₄H₉Li/(C₂H₅)₃Al in toluene at low temperature. The block copolymers were soluble in acetone which is a non-solvent for poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PLMA). ¹HNMR and vapor pressure osmometric analyses of the block copolymers indicated the aggregation of the copolymer in acetone through the interaction between PLMA blocks. Stereocomplex formation between the triblock copolymer and isotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) took place more effectively in solution than in the solid state.     

Latex interpenetrating polymer networks based on polyacrylates and poly(methyl methacrylate)

The effect of methacrylic acid (MAA) concentration in the polyacrylate seed on the formation of latex interpenetrating polymer networks (LIPNs) with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as polymer II in the ratio of 65 : 35 (w/w) has been studied. LIPNs were prepared using three different seeds having the compositions of n-butyl acrylate (BA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and tetra(ethylene glycol)dimethacrylate (TEGDM) in the ratio of 55 : 45 : 0.7 by weight and varying amounts of MAA (0, 2.5, and 6% by wt) at two different pH values (∼ 3.3 and 8.5). LIPNs prepared from seeds having MAA > 2.5% resulted in the formation of continuous films, whereas LIPNs without MAA in the seed yielded discontinuous films (i.e., films with many cracks). Characterization using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed the presence of multiphase morphology in all the LIPNs, indicating better mixing of the two polymers. Another set of LIPNs using the seed of the composition BA : MMA : TEGDM in the ratio of 63 : 37 : 6 : 0.7 by wt, possessing a glass transition temperature of 0°C and PMMA as polymer II, was prepared at two different pH values, as mentioned earlier, and with two different initiators—namely, 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and potassium persulfate (PPS)—for the polymerization of monomer II. The tensile strength and hardness of both the LIPNs processed at high pH (8.5) did not show significant differences, whereas the LIPNs prepared at low pH using the AIBN initiator showed an inverted core-shell morphology possessing very low hardness and tensile strength with high elongation. The PPS-initiated polymer showed core–shell morphology yielding film of poor strength. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Environmentally benign precipitation copolymerization of methacrylate ester and styrene to make polymeric microspheres in supercritical carbon dioxide

The polymeric microspheres were synthesized by the precipitation copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) with methacrylic acid(MAA) or 2‐hydoxyethyl methacrylate (2‐HEMA) containing styrene (ST) in SC‐CO₂. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the products were spherical microparticles, with the addition of MAA and/or 2‐HEMA as the monomer, with diameter of 0.2–2 μm. The effects of copolymerization pressure, temperature, and ratios of GMA/MAA, ST, and/or GMA/2‐HEMA, on the particle size and morphology were investigated in detail. A new experiment setup is proposed for the large amount of production, based on the rule of lower monomer concentration, more stable system, and better use of the present polymerization apparatus. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2425–2431, 2007     

Atom transfer radical copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate

Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) copolymers were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The effect of different molar fractions of GMA, ranging from 0.28 to 1.0, on the polymer polydispersity index (weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight) as the indicator of a controlled process was investigated at 70°C, with ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate as an initiator and 4,4′‐dinonyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyne (dNbpy)/CuBr as a catalyst system in anisole. The monomer reactivity ratios (r values) were obtained by the application of the conventional linearization Fineman–Ross method (r_GMA = 1.24 ± 0.02 and r_MMA = 0.85 ± 0.03) and by the Mayo–Lewis method (r_GMA = 1.19 ± 0.04 and r_MMA = 0.86 ± 0.03). The molecular weights and polydispersities of the copolymers exhibited a linear increase with GMA content. The copolymer compositions were determined by ¹H‐NMR and showed a domination of syndiotactic structures. The glass‐transition temperatures (T_g) of the copolymers analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) decreased in the range 105–65°C with increasing GMA units. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Well-defined poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and its amphiphilic block copolymers via acidolysis of anionically synthesized poly(2-vinyloxyethyl methacrylate)

Summary A novel approach to a well-defined poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [poly(HEMA)] and to its amphiphilic block copolymers was developed. The selective living anionic polymerization of the methacryloyl group of the bifunctional monomer 2-vinyloxyethyl methacrylate (VEMA) generated a functional polymer with a controlled molecular weight and a narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n= 1.05–1.09). This polymer is very stable under normal conditions. Being soluble in the common organic solvents, its characterization could be carried out easily. The unreacted vinyl groups in the side chains of the resulting polymer were further reacted with hydrochloric acid. This acidolysis changed poly(VEMA) to a well-defined poly(HEMA). In addition, the anionic block copolymerization of VEMA with styrene or methyl methacrylate also proceeded smoothly, generating the corresponding block copolymers. After acidolysis, these copolymers were turned into amphiphilic block copolymers containing a hydrophilic poly(HEMA) block. Received: 22 June 2001/Revised version: 15 August 2001/Accepted: 15 August 2001     

Synthesis of methacrylate copolymers and their effects as pour point depressants for lubricant oil

In this study, polymethacrylate polymers were synthesized by free‐radical polymerization for use as pour point depressants in lubricant oil, and their low‐temperature properties were investigated. Four methacrylate monomers were synthesized by the esterification of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with four kinds of fatty alcohols. The purification step was performed to prepare the pure monomers. Two polymerization experiments were carried out with four kinds of methacrylate monomers obtained previously and MMA. Copolymers, which were made from one kind of monomer and MMA, and terpolymers, which were made from two kinds of monomers and MMA, were prepared. The molecular structures of the synthesized methacrylate monomers and polymethacrylate polymers were verified by ¹H‐NMR, and the molecular weight data were obtained by gel permeation chromatography. The pour points of the base oils containing 0.1 wt % polymethacrylate polymers were measured according to ASTM D 97‐93. The pour points of most base oils containing each polymer decreased compared to that of the pure base oil. Particularly, poly(dodecyl methacrylate‐co‐hexadecyl methacrylate‐co‐methyl methacrylate), made of dodecyl methacrylate, hexadecyl methacrylate, and MMA at a molar ratio of 3.5 : 3.5 : 3, showed the best low‐temperature properties. This terpolymer dropped the pour point of the base oil by as much as 23°C, and its yield was 93.5%. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011