Synthesis of carboxylic acid functionalized nanoparticles by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) miniemulsion polymerization of styrene

In this study, an addition-fragmentation chain transfer agent bearing carboxylic acid, 4-toluic acid dithiobenzoate (TADB), was used to synthesize carboxylic acid functionalized PS nanospheres via the miniemulsion polymerization. In addition, non-functionalized RAFT agent, benzyl dithiobenzoate (BDB), was also used to compare the surface properties of the PS nanoparticles. For the TADB system, the rate of polymerization was approximately two-fold faster than the BDB system, while the molecular weights and PDI of PS remain intact.With increasing the molar ratio of [TADB]/[AIBN] from 0 to 3.0, the average particle diameter is substantially increased from 90 to 126 nm. The absolute value of zeta potential and conductivity also correspondingly increase from 49.1 mV and 3.47 mS/cm to 53.9 mV and 4.21 mS/cm, respectively. The results indicate that the surface of PS nanospheres could be functionalized by means of a carboxylic acid group on the RAFT agent and the stability of the PS miniemulsion latex could be significantly improved.     

Advances in RAFT polymerization: the synthesis of polymers with defined end-groups

This paper provides an overview and discusses some recent developments in radical polymerization with reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT polymerization). Guidelines for the selection of RAFT agents are presented. The utility of the RAFT process is then illustrated with several examples of the synthesis of polymers with reactive end-groups. Thus, RAFT polymerization with appropriately designed trithiocarbonate RAFT agents is successfully applied to the synthesis of narrow polydispersity carboxy-functional poly(methyl methacrylate) and primary amino-functional polystyrene. Methods for removing the thiocarbonylthio end-group by aminolysis, reduction and thermal elimination are discussed. It is shown that the thiocarbonylthio end-group can be cleanly cleaved by radical induced reduction with tri-n-butylstannane, to leave a saturated chain end, or by thermolysis, to leave an unsaturated chain end.     

RAFT polymerization of styrene mediated by naphthalene-containing RAFT agents and optical properties of the polymers

In this paper, we designed and synthesized five novel reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agents bearing naphthyl moieties in the Z or R groups, including 3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl dithio-2-naphthalenoate (TOBDN), 4-nitrobenzyl dithio-2-naphthalenoate (NBDN), 1-menaphthyl 4-cyanodithiobenzoate (NCDB), 1-menaphthyl dithiobenzoate (NDB) and 1-menaphthyl dithio-2-naphthalenoate (NDN). The RAFT polymerizations of styrene mediated by these RAFT agents with AIBN as the initiator at 80 °C were conducted and evaluated. Except for NCDB, the RAFT agents showed good control over the polymerization at different RAFT agent concentrations: the M_n,GPC increased linearly with the monomer conversion, and the PDIs of the polymers were relatively low (PDI = 1.20–1.50). The structure of RAFT agents bearing three different R groups with naphthyl as the Z group showed less effects on the polymerization rate, while those bearing different Z groups with 1-menaphthyl as the R group presented significant effects on the polymerization rates. The polymerization rate with phenyl as the Z group was higher than that with 2-naphthyl as the Z group, and it decreased significantly when using 4-cycno phenyl as the Z group. Retardation effects were observed with all the RAFT agents. ¹H NMR spectra and chain extension results confirmed that most of the polymer chains were “living”. Ultraviolet (UV) absorption of naphthyl moieties at the R group showed blue shifts compared with those of naphthyl at the Z group. The UV absorption intensity of PS was uniformly lower than that of the corresponding RAFT agent, while the fluorescence intensity of PS was higher than that of the corresponding RAFT agent.     

Living radical dispersion photopolymerization of styrene by a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent

In this study, an addition-fragmentation chain transfer agent bearing dithioester group is synthesized and applied to conventional dispersion photopolymerization of styrene in ethanol medium in the presence of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) stabilizer with varying amounts of the RAFT agent and optionally with conventional initiator, azobisisobutyronitril (AIBN) at various temperatures. Monomer conversion, molecular weight evolution, polydispersity index (PDI), and final particle sizes are measured. The PDI of the formed polymer is between 1.5 and 2.5 in the presence of RAFT agent. Higher concentration of RAFT agent or elevated temperature leads to the acceleration of the polymerization rate resulting in fast conversion, and reducing molecular weight and PDI. Stable polystyrene beads above 1 μm in diameter are successfully prepared by means of RAFT method applied in dispersion polymerization. The weight average particle sizes are between 1.08 and 2.04 μm, and the uniformity (D_w/D_n) is ranged from 1.26 to 2.51.     

Poly(ethylene glycol) as a ‘green solvent’ for the RAFT polymerization of methyl methacrylate

We demonstrate the use of a range of poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) to control the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The use of PEG as the solvent (M_n = 4600 g mol⁻¹) resulted in an increase in the rate of the reaction over that of other solvents by a factor of 5 at 60 °C, allowing MMA to be polymerized to high conversions with a DP of 100 much more rapidly than in standard solvents, while maintaining control over the molecular weight with polydispersities as low as 1.05. Interestingly, whilst the same rate increase is seen when polymerizing to a DP of 500, PEG appears to limit the achievable molecular weight to differing degrees depending on its chain length. Advantages of using PEG include its very low toxicity and other environmentally friendly aspects of its nature that allow it to be classed as a ‘green’ solvent.     

Fabrication of magnetic nanofibers via surface-initiated RAFT polymerization and coaxial electrospinning

A simple and continuous approach for fabricating magnetic polyacrylonitrile nanofibers (MNFs) with the diameter of about 200 nm has been developed by combining surface-initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and coaxial electrospinning. The RAFT polymerization of acrylonitrile was carried out on the surface of RAFT agent immobilized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The room-temperature saturation magnetizations of the prepared MNFs can be easily adjusted. In addition, the aligned fibers can be conveniently obtained via magnetic electrospinning using a specially designed fiber collector.     

苯乙烯的间歇-半连续RAFT细乳液聚合

进行了苯乙烯的间歇-半连续RAFT细乳液聚合,考察了半连续段的起点、单体滴加速率及最终胶乳固含量的影响。结果发现：从最终胶乳的稳定性考虑,半连续聚合的起点选择在间歇聚合的高转化率时期更好;若综合考虑胶乳的稳定性、分子量及其分布、固含量、乳化剂及共稳定剂在胶乳中的残留率等因素,半连续聚合的起点可适当提前,但必须在间歇聚合成核期结束后。过早容易引起乳液的失稳;过迟会延长反应时间,降低聚合物的制备效率,导致死聚物链含量升高。聚合体系的稳定性与胶乳的固含量密切相关,最终固含量不宜超过40％。采用间歇-半连续二段聚合工艺可以制得窄分子量分布(PDI＝～1.3),低乳化剂及共稳定剂残留量（～1.5%,质量）的高分子量聚合物(≈8×10⁴g•mol^-1)。     

Preparation of stable polyurethane-polystyrene copolymer emulsions via RAFT polymerization process

Stable polyurethane-polystyrene (PU-PS) copolymer emulsions were prepared by the polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA)-capped PU macromonomer and styrene, using azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN), a radical initiator, and 4-((benzodithioyl)methyl)benzoic acid, a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent. As the molar ratio of the RAFT agent to AIBN increased, the zeta potential of the resulting copolymer emulsion increased, but the average size and size distribution of the emulsion droplets decreased. A living polymerization of HEA end-capped PU macromonomer and styrene was characterized by a linear increase in the molecular weight and decrease in the molecular weight distribution with consumption of monomers. The tensile strength, hardness and water-resistance of the copolymer films, prepared from the PU-PS copolymer emulsions, were much greater than those of the films prepared from the pure PU emulsion. The copolymer emulsions, prepared via the RAFT polymerization process, are expected to exhibit better storage stability than those prepared via the conventional free radical polymerization process, due to the presence of carboxyl groups derived from the RAFT agent at the PS block termini.     

Kinetics of RAFT emulsion polymerization of styrene mediated by oligo(acrylic acid‐b‐styrene) trithiocarbonate

The kinetics of ab initio reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) emulsion polymerization of styrene using oligo(acrylic acid‐b‐styrene) trithiocarbonate as both polymerization mediator and surfactant were systematically investigated. The initiator concentration was set much lower than that in the conventional emulsion polymerization to significantly suppress the irreversible termination reaction. It was found that decreased rapidly but the nucleation efficiency of micelles increased with the decrease of the initiator concentrations due to the significant radical exit. The particle number ( ) did not follow the classic Smith–Eward equation but was proportional to [I]^?0.4[S]^0.7. It was suggested that RAFT emulsion polymerization could be fast enough for commercial use even at extremely low initiator concentrations and low macro‐RAFT agent concentrations due to the higher particle nucleation efficiency at lower initiator concentration. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 2126–2134, 2016     

甲基丙烯酸甲酯的RAFT微乳液聚合

该文合成了一种双官能团的RAFT试剂——S,S'-二(α,α'-二甲基-α″-乙酸)三硫代碳酸酯(BDAT)。以其为链转移剂,在微乳液体系中进行了甲基丙烯酸甲酯的RAFT聚合。分别讨论了聚合反应温度和链转移剂浓度对聚合反应的影响,并对相关的聚合反应动力学常数进行了计算。研究结果表明,在微乳液中进行的RAFT聚合具有显著的活性聚合的特征。聚合产物的相对分子质量(简称分子量,下同)随着转化率的提高而线性增加,同时聚合产物具有较窄的分子量分布,聚合过程随着链转移剂浓度的增加而逐渐可控。另外,利用透射电子显微镜对链转移剂浓度对微乳液粒子尺寸的影响也进行了考察,扫描电镜照片表明,微乳液聚合所得乳液粒子呈现单分散性状态,并且粒子尺寸随着链转移剂浓度的增加而逐渐增加。     

Surface grafting of poly(pentafluorostyrene) on the iron and iron oxide particles via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization

A surface grafting technique is reported for synthesis of poly(pentafluorostyrene) via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer onto iron (iron oxide) particles. 4‐Methoxydithiobenzoate is used for the RAFT chain transfer agent. The molecular weight, surface morphology, thickness, thermal properties, and monomer conversion of the grafted polymer are reported. The grafted poly(pentafluorostyrene)–iron particles show a higher thermal transition temperature compared to the nongrafted polymer because it is speculated that the covalent bond between the polymer backbone and the surface of the iron particles restricts the molecular mobility. The monomer conversion increases in proportion to the amount of chain transfer agent (CTA) concentration at early polymerization time. The grafted poly(pentafluorostyrene) shows a “hairy” like polymer architecture with fibril thickness in the range of 80 to 100 nm. A thin coating is expected to maintain the magnetic saturation properties of iron particles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that poly(pentafluorostyrene) has been grafted onto the iron particles utilizing RAFT and 4‐methoxydithiobenzoate as a CTA. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44898.     

Kinetic study on reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process for block and random copolymerizations of styrene and methyl methacrylate

The degenerative (exchange) chain transfer constant C_ex was determined for the dithioacetate-mediated living radical block and random copolymerizations of styrene (St) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) at 40 °C. The addition of the polystyrene (PSt) radical to a polymer-dithioacetate adduct (P-X) to form the intermediate radical (PSt-(X)-P) was (about twice) faster than that of the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) radical to form the intermediate radical PMMA-(X)-P. The fragmentation (release) of the PMMA radical from the PSt-(X)-PMMA intermediate formed at the initiating stage of block copolymerization was much (about 100 times) faster than the release of the PSt radical, explaining why the block copolymerization of MMA from a PSt-dithiocarbonate adduct is not so satisfactory as that of St from a PMMA-dithiocarbonate adduct. In the random copolymerization, there was implicit penultimate unit effect on the exchange chain transfer process, which appeared in the addition process but not in the fragmentation process.     

A new selenium-based RAFT agent for surface-initiated RAFT polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine

A new selenium-based reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent, 4-cyanopentanoic acid diselenobenzoate (RAFT-Se), was synthesized and utilized in the surface-initiated RAFT polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) on silicon substrate. The results indicate that the RAFT-Se can control the surface-initiated RAFT polymerization, as evidenced by the number-average molecular weight that increase linearly with monomer conversion, molecular weights that agreed well with the predicted values, and the relatively low polydispersity indexes. The surface-initiated RAFT polymerization with the RAFT-Se was the same polymerization mechanism as its analog, 4-cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate (RAFT-S). The grafting density of the poly(4-vinylpyridine) brushes prepared in the presence of RAFT-Se (σ_RAFT-Se) and RAFT-S (σ_RAFT-S) was estimated to be about 0.51 and 0.66 chains/nm², respectively. In addition, the end of polymer chains on silicon substrate contains selenium element which may be useful in biosensor applications.     

Reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of 3-[tris(trimethylsilyloxy) silyl] propyl methacrylate

Reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) bulk polymerizations of 3-[tris(trimethylsilyloxy)silyl] propyl methacrylate (TRIS) have been carried out at 60 °C, employing cumyl dithiobenzoate (CDB) and 2-cyanoprop-2-yl dithiobenzoate (CPDB) as mediating agents at concentrations ranging from 5.0×10⁻³ to 2.0×10⁻² mol l⁻¹. The monomer conversion vs. time evolution was followed via dilatometry and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The CDB mediated polymerization displays RAFT agent concentration dependent inhibition and rate retardation phenomena, whereas the CPDB mediated polymerization process is less susceptible to rate retardation and inhibition effects. The different behavior of CDB and CPDB in TRIS polymerization is most likely due to the increased stability of the intermediate macroRAFT radicals in the CDB mediated process. The generated RAFT polymers were analyzed via size exclusion chromatography indicating linear macromolecular growth with respect to monomer conversion and low polydispersities (PDI<1.15) up to high monomer to polymer conversion (>90%).     

Probing the reaction kinetics of vinyl acetate free radical polymerization via living free radical polymerization (MADIX)

Living free radical polymerization technology (macromolecular design via the interchange of xanthates (MADIX)) was applied to give accesses to chain length and conversion dependent termination rate coefficients of vinyl acetate (VAc) at 80 °C using the MADIX agent 2-ethoxythiocarbonylsulfanyl-propionic acid methyl ester (EPAME). The kinetic data were verified and probed by simulations using the PREDICI^® modelling package. The reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) chain length dependent termination (CLD-T) methodology can be applied using a monomer reaction order of unity, since VAc displays significantly lower monomer reaction orders than those observed in acrylate systems (ω(VAc, 80 °C)=1.17±0.05). The observed monomer reaction order for VAc is assigned to chain length dependent termination and a low presence of transfer reactions. The α value for the chain length regime of log(i)=1.25−3.25 (in the often employed expression ) reads 0.09±0.05 at low monomer to polymer conversion (10%) and increases significantly towards larger conversions (α=0.55±0.05 at 80%). Concomitantly with a lesser amount of midchain radicals, the chain length dependence of k_t is significantly less pronounced in the VAc system than in the corresponding acrylate systems under identical reaction conditions. The RAFT(MADIX)-CLD-T technique also allows for mapping of k_t as a function of conversion at constant chain lengths. Similar to observations made earlier with methyl acrylate, the decrease of k_t with conversion is more pronounced at increased chain lengths, with a strong decrease in k_t exceeding two logarithmic units from 10 to 80% conversion at chain lengths exceeding 1800.     

Synthesis of polyvinyl alcohol stereoblock copolymer via the combination of living cationic polymerization and RAFT/MADIX polymerization using xanthate with vinyl ether moiety

Different types of novel xanthates containing a vinyl ether moiety, S-benzyl O-2-(vinyloxy)ethyl carbonodithioate (Xanthate 1) and S-1-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl O-2-(vinyloxy)ethyl carbonodithioate (Xanthate 2) were synthesized. In particular, the Xanthate 2 enabled to design polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) stereoblock copolymer via the combination of living cationic vinyl polymerization and RAFT/MADIX polymerization. For cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) and tert-butyl vinyl ether (TBVE), the polymerizations were conducted under Xanthate 1-HCl adduct/SnCl₄ and Xanthate 1 or 2-CF₃COOH adduct/EtAlCl₂ initiating system in the presence of ethyl acetate. Both systems proceeded in living polymerization fashion because the calculated M_n of both poly(IBVE) and poly(TBVE) matches with the M_n polymerized assuming that one polymer chain is formed per one molecule of the Xanthate 1 or 2. The resulting poly(TBVE) had a high number average α-end functionality as determined by MALDI-TOF-MS spectrometry. Xanthate 2 is more efficient for the following RAFT/MADIX polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc). The RAFT/MADIX polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) using azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) at 60 °C was conducted using either poly(IBVE) or poly(TBVE) macro-CTA. The poly(TBVE) macro-CTAs synthesized from the Xanthate 2 were able to polymerize VAc smoothly via RAFT/MADIX polymerization, to prepare well-defined diblock copolymer, poly(TBVE)-b-poly(VAc). The resulting block copolymer was then hydrolyzed using KOH in methanol and followed by acid hydrolysis using HBr gas bubbling. The resulting polymer is inherently stereoblock like copolymer, isotactic rich PVA-b-atactic PVA (iPVA-b-aPVA). From the DSC measurement, the iPVA-b-aPVA has one glass transition at 69.5 °C and two melting points according to iPVA and aPVA at 237.9 and 198.1 °C, respectively. Thus, it can be suggested that the obtained PVA has two different geometries by the combination of living cationic polymerization and RAFT/MADIX polymerization.     

Synthesis of thermoresponsive block and graft copolymers via the combination of living cationic polymerization and RAFT polymerization using a vinyl ether-type RAFT agent

A novel vinyl ether-type RAFT agent, benzyl 2-(vinyloxy)ethyl carbonotrithioate (BVCT) was synthesized for various block copolymers via the combination of living cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers and reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The novel BVCT–trifluoroacetic acid adduct play an important role to produce well-defined block copolymers, which is both as a cationogen under EtAlCl₂ initiation system in the presence of ethyl acetate for living cationic polymerization and a RAFT agent for blocks by RAFT polymerization. The resulting polymer, poly(vinyl ether)s, by living cationic polymerization had a high number average α-end functionality (≥0.9) as determined by both ¹H NMR and MALDI-TOF-MS spectrometry. In addition, this poly(vinyl ether)s worked well as a macromolecular chain transfer agent for RAFT polymerization. The RAFT polymerization of radically polymerizable monomers was conducted in toluene using 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) at 70 °C. For example, a double thermoresponsive block copolymer (MOVE₆₁-b-NIPAM₁₅₀) consisting of 2-methoxyethyl vinyl ether (MOVE) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) was prepared via the combination of living cationic polymerization and RAFT polymerization. The block copolymer reversibly formed and deformed micellar assemblies above the phase separation temperature (T_ps) of poly(NIPAM) block in water. This BVCT is not only functioned as an initiator, but also acted as a monomer. When BVCT was copolymerized with MOVE by living cationic polymerization, followed by graft copolymerization with NIPAM via RAFT polymerization, well-defined graft copolymers (MOVE_n-co-BVCT_m)-g-NIPAM_x (n = 62–73, m = 1–9, x = 19–214) were successfully obtained. However, no micelle formed in water above T_ps of poly(NIPAM) graft chain unlike the case of block copolymers.     

One-pot synthesis of poly(methacrylic acid)-b-poly(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers via RAFT polymerization

In this work, the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was utilized to synthesize the amphiphilic diblock copolymers of poly(methacrylic acid)-b-poly(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate) (PMAA-b-PTFEMA) via one-pot two-step reaction protocol. The controlled radical polymerization of MAA monomer was first carried out in pure water by using 4-cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate (CADB) as chain transfer agent. Subsequently, the as-synthesized PMAA homopolymers with dithiobenzoate end-groups were employed as macro-CTA and chain-extended in situ with the hydrophobic TFEMA monomer. The reactions were carried out in 1,4-dioxane/water medium. Both the polymerization of PMAA and PTFEMA blocks showed the well controllability on the molecular weighs and distributions. It was found that the amphiphilic diblock copolymers formed the stable spherical particles via the polymerization-induced self-assembly. Meanwhile, the effect of various parameters, such as the concentration ratio of TFEMA monomer over PMAA macro-CTA, the solvent condition (different ratio of 1,4-dixane/water), and the pH, on the RAFT polymerization of TFEMA monomer were investigated in detail. Their kinetic results suggested that the propagation of TFEMA monomer on the macro-CTA was performed at the particle/water interfaces. The concentration of chain transfer agents at the interfaces determined the polymerization rate. Finally, the stability of the fluorinated polymer dispersions was also evaluated in this work.     

The application of ionizing radiation in reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization: Renaissance of a key synthetic and kinetic tool

Ionizing radiation, such as γ, ultraviolet, microwave and X-ray radiation, has long been used in polymer chemistry as a means of initiating polymerization, crosslinking gels and decomposing particular polymer components. More recently, ionizing radiation has found application in tandem with living radical polymerization to form novel polymeric materials with defined molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution. In particular, γ-rays and ultraviolet light both have shown promise as sources of initiation in reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The ability to apply these sources of initiation at low temperatures is useful in applications where elevated temperature is likely to be detrimental to the system, for instance, in preparing protein-polymer conjugates. Similarly, the use of these initiating sources at low temperature is particularly suitable for some monomers, such as allyl compounds, which have not been synthesized using any other living radical approach. The current review examines the development of ionizing radiation as a tool in RAFT polymerization, with particular reference to the elucidation of the polymerization mechanism, the synthesis of high functionality polymers and probing the kinetic parameters of the RAFT process.     

RAFT polymerization of acrylamide manipulated with trithiocarbonates in poly(ethylene glycol) solution

The reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of acrylamide (AM) in aqueous two‐phase system was successfully carried out in polyethylene glycol (PEG) aqueous solution. Because of phase transition involved in the polymerization process, the ln([M]₀/[M])‐time plots were indicated in two‐stages significantly. Both the initial homogeneous polymerization and the subsequent heterogeneous polymerization were under good control. The effects of various synthesis parameters such as polymerization temperature, concentration of CTA, and initiator on RAFT polymerization behaviors have been investigated. Furthermore, the evolution process of the droplet morphologies after separation was examined by transmission electron microscope. The results showed that the nuclei were formed throughout the whole heterogeneous polymerization and stable sphere particles with an average size of about 1 μm were produced finally. More importantly, it was also found that the viscosity played a significant role in the stabilization of the dispersion of polymer particles. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43000.