Synthesis and characterization of a terpolymer of limonene,styrene, and methyl methacrylate via a free‐radical route

The free‐radical terpolymerization of a monocyclic terpene, namely, limonene (Lim), with styrene (Sty) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in xylene at 80 ± 0.1°C for 2 h, with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator under an inert atmosphere of nitrogen was extensively studied. The kinetic expression was R_pα[BPO]^0.5[Sty]^1.0[MMA]^1.0[Lim]^?1.0, where R_p is the rate of polymerization. The overall energy of activation was calculated as 26 kJ/mol. R_p decreased as [Lim] increased. This was due to a penultimate unit effect. The Fourier transform infrared spectra of the terpolymer showed bands at 3025–3082, 1728, and 2851–2984 cm^?1 due to C? H stretching of phenyl (? C₆H₅) protons of Sty, ? OCH₃ of MMA, and trisubstituted olefinic protons of Lim, respectively. The ¹H‐NMR spectra showed peaks at 7.3–8.1, 3.9–4.4, and 5.0–5.5 δ due to the phenyl, methoxy, and trisubstituted olefinic protons of Sty, MMA and Lim, respectively. The values of the reactivity ratios r₁ (MMA; 0.33) and r₂ (Sty + Lim; 0.06) were calculated with the Kelen–T?udos method. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2343–2347, 2004     

Synthesis and characterization of functional copolymer of Linalool and vinyl acetate: A kinetic study

Linalool (LIN) and vinyl acetate (VA) were copolymerized by benzoyl peroxide (BPO) in p‐xylene at 60°C for 90 min. The system follows nonideal kinetics: R_pα[I]^0.6[LIN]^1.2[VA]^1.1. It results in the formation of alternating copolymer as evidenced from reactivity ratios as r₁ (VA) = 0.01, r₂ (LIN) = 0.0015, which have been calculated by Kelen–Tudos method. The overall activation energy is 82 kJ/mol. The FTIR spectrum of the copolymer shows the presence of the band at 3425 cm^?1 due to alcoholic group of LIN and at 1641 cm^?1 due to >C?O group of VA. The ¹H‐NMR spectrum shows peaks at 7.0–7.7 δ due to hydroxy proton of LIN and at 1.0–1.4 δ due to acetoxy protons of VA. ¹³C‐NMR spectrum of copolymer shows peaks at 167 ppm due to acetoxy group and at 75–77 ppm due to C? OH group. The Alfrey–Price Q–e parameters for LIN has been calculated as Q₂ = 1.24 and e₂ = 3.11. The copolymer is highly thermally stable and has a glass transition temperature (T_g) of 85°C, evaluated from DSC studies. The mechanism of copolymerization has been elucidated. This article also reports measurement of Mark–Houwink constants in THF at 25°C by means of GPC as α = 0.8 and K = 3.0 × 10^?4 dl/g. The thermal decompositions of copolymer are established with the help of TGA technique. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1134–1143, 2004     

Kinetics of ylide-initiated radical copolymerization of 4-vinylpyridine and methyl methacrylate

The ylide-initiated radical copolymerization of 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) at 60°C using carbon tetrachloride as inert solvent yields non-alternating copolymers. The kinetic parameters, average rate of polymerization (R_p) and orders of reaction with respect to monomers and initiator, have been evaluated and the kinetic equation is found to be R_pα[ylide]^0.94 [MMA]^1.0 [4-VP]^1.5. The values of the energy of activation and k_p²/k_t are 48 kJ mol^?1 and 6.6 × 10^?5 litre mol^?1s^?1, respectively. The copolymers have been characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and characterization of copolymer of styrene with methacrylic acid initiated by triphenylbismuthonium 1,2,3,4‐ tetraphenylcyclopentadienylide

The radical copolymerization of styrene with methacrylic acid (MAA) initiated by triphenylbismuthonium 1,2,3,4‐tetraphenylcyclopentadienylide in dioxan at 80 ± 0.1 °C for 3 h results in the formation of alternating copolymer as evidenced from the values of reactivity ratios as r₁ (styrene) = 0.03 and r₂ (MAA) = 0.025. The kinetic expression is R_p α [I]^0.5 [Sty] [MAA] and overall energy of activation is computed to be 23 kJ/mol. The FTIR spectrum of the copolymer shows the presence of bands at 3054 cm^?1 assigned to the phenyl group of styrene and at 1724 cm^?1 assigned to the ? COOH group of MAA. The ¹H‐NMR spectrum of the copolymer shows peaks between 7.20 and 7.27 δ assigned to the phenyl protons of styrene and at 12.5 δ assigned to the COOH proton of MAA. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1838–1843, 2005     

Kinetics and Mechanism of Copolymerization of Styrene with Acrylonitrile Using Triphenylbismuthonium 1,2,3,4-Tetraphenylcyclopentadienylide as the Radical Initiator

The radical copolymerization of styrene with acrylonitrile in dioxan at 60±0.1°C for 1 h. in the presence of triphenyl-bismuthonium 1,2,3,4-tetraphenylcyclopentadienylide follows ideal kinetics, with bimolecular termination and results in the formation of alternating copolymer as evidenced from the values of the reactivity ratios as r₁ (Sty) = 0.266 and r₂ (AN) = 0.054. The overall energy of activation is computed to be 21 kJ mol^?1. The FTIR spectrum of the copolymer shows the presence of bands at 3054 cm^?1 assigned to the phenyl group of styrene and at 2238 cm^?1 assigned to the cyanide group of AN. The ¹H-NMR spectrum of the copolymer shows peaks between 7.25 and 7.71δ assigned to the phenyl protons of styrene. The nitrogen percent for AN was evaluated by elemental analysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of functional copolymers of citronellol with butylmethacrylate initiated by benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide (BPO)‐initiated free radical copolymerization of citronellol with butylmethacrylate (BMA) in xylene at 80°C ± 0.1°C under the inert atmosphere of nitrogen has been studied. The kinetics expression is R_p α [I]^0.5±0.27 [citronellol]^1.0±0.13 [BMA]^1.0±0.18. The overall activation energy has been calculated as 65 kJ/mol. Bands at 3436 and 1732 cm^?1 in the FTIR spectrum of the copolymer(s) have indicated the presence of hydroxy, ester group of citronellol and butylmethacrylate, respectively. The ¹H‐NMR spectrum shows peaks at 7.0–7.7 δ due to ? OH proton of citronellol and at 3.2–4.0 δ due to ? OCH₂ proton of butylmethacrylate. The molecular weight M_v and η_int of the copolymers have been measured with the help of gel permeation chromatography in tetrahydrofuran at 25°C to calculate Mark‐Houwink constants as K = 2.68 × 10^?4 and α = 0.34 ± 0.40. The alternating nature of the copolymer is confirmed by reactivity ratios r₁ (BMA) = 0.023 ± 0.004 and r₂ (Citronellol) = 0.0025 ± 0.22. The Alfrey‐Price Q‐e parameters for citronellol have been calculated as Q₂ = 0.13 and e₂ = –1.28. Thermal decompositions of copolymer are evaluated with the help of thermal gravimetric analysis technique. The mechanism of copolymerization has been elucidated. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Functional copolymer of geraniol and acrylonitrile: Synthesis and characterization

The radical copolymerization of acyclic terpene namely geraniol [GER] with acrylonitrile [AN] in DMF at (70 ± 0.1)°C for 1 h, using benzoylperoxide (BPO) as an initiator has been carried out under inert atmosphere of nitrogen. The kinetic expression for reaction is R_p ∝ [BPO]^0.5 [AN]^1.0 [GER]^1.0. The IR spectrum of the copolymer shows bands at 3432 and at 2244 cm^?1 due to ? OH group of GER and ? CN group of AN, respectively. The ¹³C‐NMR spectrum shows peaks at 73–75 δ ppm and 116–120 δ ppm due to ? OH group of GER and ? CN group of AN, respectively. The thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry study shows that copolymer is thermally stable up to 407°C and has glass transition temperatures (T_g) 56°C. The reactivity ratios r₁ (AN) and r₂ (GER) have been calculated as 0.05 and 0.005, respectively. The Alfrey‐Price Q‐e parameter for GER has been calculated as 0.094 and ?2.0, respectively. The molecular weights of the copolymers have been evaluated by gel‐permeation chromatography. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

A copolymer of poly[2,2′‐(m‐phenylene)‐5,5′‐ bibenzimidazole] and poly(2,5‐benzimidazole) for high‐temperature proton‐conducting membranes

A novel copolymer of polybenzimidazoles was prepared by copolymerization of 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride, 3,4‐diaminobenzoic acid and isophthalic acid in polyphosphoric acid at 200 °C. The polymerization could be performed within 90–110 min with the assistance of microwave irradiation. The solubility of the copolymer obtained in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) was improved compared with those of poly[2,2′‐(m‐phenylene)‐5,5′‐bibenzimidazole] and poly(2,5‐benzimidazole). Thus copolymer membranes could be readily prepared by dissolving the copolymer powders in DMAc with refluxing under ambient pressure. The decomposition temperature of the copolymer was about 520 °C in air according to thermogravimetric analysis data. The proton conductivity and mechanical strength of the phosphoric acid‐doped copolymer membranes were investigated at elevated temperatures. A conductivity of 0.09 S cm^?1 at 180 °C and a tensile stress at break of 5.9 MPa at 120 °C were achieved for the acid‐doped copolymer membranes by doping acids in a 75 wt% H₃PO₄ solution. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Copolymerization of N‐aryl substituted itaconimide with methyl methacrylate: Effect of substituents on monomer reactivity ratio and thermal behavior

The article describes the synthesis and characterization of N‐(4‐methoxy‐3‐chlorophenyl) itaconimide (MCPI) and N‐(2‐methoxy‐5‐chlorophenyl) itaconimide (OMCPI) obtained by reacting itaconic anhydride with 4‐methoxy‐3‐chloroanisidine and 2‐methoxy‐5‐chloroanisidine, respectively. Structural and thermal characterization of MCPI and OMCPI monomers was done by using ¹H NMR, FTIR, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Copolymerization of MCPI or OMCPI with methyl methacrylate (MMA) in solution was carried out at 60°C using AIBN as an initiator and THF as solvent. Feed compositions having varying mole fractions of MCPI and OMCPI ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 were taken to prepare copolymers. Copolymerizations were terminated at low percentage conversion. Structural characterization of copolymers was done by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and elemental analysis and percent nitrogen content was used to calculate the copolymer composition. The monomer reactivity ratios for MMA–MCPI copolymers were found to be r₁ (MMA) = 0.32 ± 0.03 and r₂ (MCPI) = 1.54 ± 0.05 and that for MMA–OMCPI copolymers were r₁ (MMA) = 0.15 ± 0.02 and r₂ (OMCPI) = 1.23 ± 0.18. The intrinsic viscosity [η] of the copolymers decreased with increasing mole fraction of MCPI/or OMCPI. The glass transition temperature as determined from DSC scans was found to increase with increasing amounts of OMPCI in copolymers. A significant improvement in the char yield as determined by thermogravimetry was observed upon copolymerization. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2391–2398, 2006     

Copolymerization of methylmethacrylate with styrene using triphenylbismuthoniumylide as radical initiator

Bismuthoniumylide‐initiated radical copolymerization of methylmethacrylate with styrene at 60 ± 0.2°C using dioxane as an inert solvent, follows ideal kinetics (R_p ∝ [ylide]^0.5 [MMA]^1.0 [sty]^1.0), and yields alternating copolymer as evident from NMR spectroscopy. The values of reactivity ratios r₁ and r₂, calculated from Finemann–Ross method are 0.48 and 0.45, respectively. The system follows ternary molecular complex mechanism. The radical mode of polymerization has been confirmed by ESR spectroscopy and the effect of hydroquinone. The value of activation energy and k/k_t are 65.0 KJ mol^?1 and 2.5 × 10^?5 l mole^?1 s^?1, respectively. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2774–2781, 2001     

Copolymerization and thermal behavior of methyl methacrylate with N‐(phenyl/p‐tolyl) itaconimides

This study describes the synthesis, characterization, and thermal behavior of copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and N‐p‐tolyl itaconimide (PTI)/N‐phenyl itaconimide (I). Homopolymerization and copolymerization of N‐(phenyl/p‐tolyl) itaconimide with MMA was carried out by use of various mole fractions of N‐aryl itaconimide in the initial feed from 0.1 to 0.5, using azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator and tetrahydrofuran as the solvent. The copolymer composition was determined by ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy using the proton resonance signals attributed to –OCH₃ of MMA (δ = 3.5–3.8 ppm) and the aromatic protons (δ = 7.0–7.5 ppm) of N‐aryl itaconimide. The reactivity ratios of the monomers were found to be r₁ (PTI) = 1.33 ± 0.05/r₂ (MMA) = 0.24 ± 0.03 and r₁ (I) = 1.465 ± 0.035/r₂ (MMA) = 0.385 ± 0.005. The molecular weight of the copolymers decreased with increasing mole fraction of N‐aryl itaconimide in the copolymers. Glass‐transition temperature (T_g) and thermal stability of PMMA increased with increasing amounts of itaconimides in the polymer backbone. A significant increase in the percentage char yield at 700°C was observed on incorporation of a low mole fraction of N‐aryl itaconimides. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1195–1202, 2003     

Electrocoated Films of Poly(N-Methylpyrrole-co-2,2′-Bithitiophene-co-3-(Octylthiophene)), Characterizations,and Capacitor Study

N-Methylpyrrole (N-MPy), 2,2′-bithiophene (BTh), and 3-(Octylthiophene) (OTh) were electrocopolymerized in 0.2 M NaClO₄/CH₃CN on glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The resulting terpolymers of N-MPy, BTh and OTh in different initial monomer feed ratios such as [N-MPy]₀/[BTh]₀/[OTh]₀ = 1/1/1 and 1/2/5 were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), Fourier-transform infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The capacitive behaviors of the modified electrodes were defined via Nyquist, Bode-magnitude, Bode-phase, and Admittance plots. The equivalent circuit model of Rs(C _dl1 (R ₁ (QR ₂ )))(C _dl2 R ₃ ) was performed to fit the theoretical and experimental data. The low-frequency capacitance (C_LF) were obtained from initial monomer concentrations of 50 mM as C_LF = ～2.34 × 10^?4 mFcm^?2 for P(N-MPy), C_LF = 5.06 × 10^?4 mF cm^?2 for P(BTh), C_LF = 5.07 m F cm^?2 for P(OTh), and C_LF = ～3.78 m Fcm^?2 for terpolymer for [N-MPy]₀/[BTh]₀/[OTh]₀ = 1/1/1. The terpolymer may be used as energy storage devices.     

Benzoyl peroxide–p‐acetylbenzylidenetriphenyl arsoniumylide initiated copolymerization of citronellol and styrene

Alternating copolymers, containing styrene and citronellol sequences, have been synthesized by radical polymerization using benzoylperoxide (BPO)–p‐acetylbenzylidenetriphenyl arsoniumylide (pABTAY) as initiator, in xylene at 80 ± 1 °C for 3 h under inert atmosphere. The kinetic expression is R_p ∝ [BPO]^0.88 [citronellol]^0.68 [styrene]^0.56 with BPO and R_p ∝ [pABTAY]^0.27 [citronellol]^0.76 [styrene]^0.63 with pABTAY, ie the system follows non‐ideal kinetics in both cases, because of primary radical termination and degradative chain transfer reactions. The activation energy with BPO and pABTAY is 94 kJ mol^?1 and 134 kJ mol^?1, respectively. Different spectral techniques, such as IR, FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR, have been used to characterize the copolymer, demonstrating the presence of alcoholic and phenyl groups of citronellol and styrene. The alternating nature of the copolymer is shown by the product of reactivity ratios r₁ (Sty) = 0.81 and r₂ (Citro) = 0.015 using BPO and r₁ (Sty) = 0.37 and r₂ (Citro) = 0.01 using (pABTAY), which are calculated by the Finemann–Ross method. A mechanism of copolymerization is proposed. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Radical polymerization behavior of dimethyl vinylphosphonate: Homopolymerization and copolymerization with trimethoxyvinylsilane

Dialkyl vinylphosphonates such as dimethyl vinylphosphonate (DMVP) and diethyl vinylphosphonate were quantitatively polymerized with dicumyl peroxide (DCPO) at 130°C in bulk. The polymerization of DMVP with DCPO was kinetically studied in bulk by fourier transform near‐infrared spectroscopy (FTNIR) and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The initial polymerization rate (R_p) was given by R_p = k[DCPO]^0.5[DMVP]^1.0 at 110°C, being the same as that of the conventional radical polymerization involving bimolecular termination. The overall activation energy of the polymerization was estimated to be 26.2 kcal/mol. The polymerization system involved ESR‐observable propagating polymer radicals under the practical polymerization conditions. ESR‐determined rate constants of propagation (k_p) and termination (k_t) were k_p = 19 L/mol s and k_t = 5.8 × 10³ L/mol s at 110°C, respectively. The molecular weight of the resultant poly(DMVP)s was low (M_n = 3.4 ? 3.5 × 10³), because of the high chain transfer constant (C_m = 3.9 × 10^?2 at 110°C) to the monomer. DMVP (M₁) showed a considerably high reactivity in the radical copolymerization with trimethoxyvinylsilane (TMVS) (M₂) at 110°C in bulk, giving an inorganic component‐containing functional copolymer with potential flame‐retardant properties; r₁ = 1.6 and r₂ = 0. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Photonic Sintering of Aerosol Jet Printed Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) Thick Films

Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) is a commonly used piezoelectric material due to its high piezoelectric response. We demonstrate a new method of printing and sintering micro‐scale PZT films with low substrate temperature increase. Self‐prepared PZT ink was Aerosol‐Jet printed on stainless steel substrates. After drying for 2 h in vacuum at 200°C, the printed PZT films were divided into two groups. The first group was traditionally sintered, using a thermal process at 1000°C for 1 h in an Argon environment. The second group was photonically sintered using repetitive sub‐msec pulses of high intensity broad spectrum light in an atmospheric environment. The highest measured substrate temperature during photonic sintering was 170.7°C, enabling processing on low melting point substrates. Ferroelectric measurements were performed with a low‐frequency sinusoidal signal. The remanent polarization (P_r) and coercive field (E_c) for thermally sintered PZT film were 17.1 μC/cm² and 6.3 kV/cm, respectively. The photonically sintered film had 32.4 μC/cm² P_r and 6.7 kV/cm E_c. After poling the samples with 20 kV/cm electric field for 2 h at 150°C, the piezoelectric voltage constant (g₃₃) was measured for the two film groups yielding ?16.9 × 10^?3 (V·m)·N^?1 (thermally sintered) and ?17.9 × 10^?3 (V·m)·N^?1 (photonically sintered). Both factors indicate the PZT films were successfully sintered using both methods, with the photonically sintered material exhibiting superior electrical properties. To further validate photonic sintering of PZT on low melting point substrates, the process and measurements were repeated using a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. The measured P_r and E_c were 23.1 μC/cm² and 5.1 kV/cm, respectively. The g₃₃ was ?17.3 × 10^?3 (V·m)·N^?1. Photonic sintering of thick film PZT directly on low melting point substrates eliminates the need for complex layer transfer processes often associated with flexible PZT transducers.     

Copolymerization of N‐(4‐carboxyphenyl) itaconimide or N‐(4‐carboxyphenyl) itaconamic acid with methyl methacrylate

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of N‐(4‐carboxyphenyl) itaconamic acid (CPA) and N‐(4‐carboxyphenyl) itaconimide (CPI) obtained by reacting itaconic anhydride with p‐aminobenzoic acid. Structural and thermal characterization of CPA and CPI was done using ¹H‐NMR, FTIR, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Copolymerization of CPA or CPI with methyl methacrylate (MMA) in solution was carried out at 60 °C using azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator and dimethyl acetamide or THF as solvent. Feed compositions having varying mole fractions of CPA or CPI ranging from 0.05–0.20 or 0.1–0.5 were taken to prepare copolymers. Copolymerizations were terminated at low percentage conversion. Structural characterization of copolymers was done by ¹H‐NMR and elemental analysis. Copolymer composition was determined using percentage nitrogen content. The reactivity ratios were r₁ (MMA) = 0.68 ± 0.06 and r₂ (CPI) = 0.46 ± 0.06. The intrinsic viscosity [η] was determined using an Ubbelohde suspension level viscometer. [η] decreased with increasing mole fraction of N‐(p‐carboxyphenyl) itaconimide or N‐(p‐carboxyphenyl) itaconamic acid in copolymers. Glass transition temperature and thermal stability of the copolymers were determined using DSC and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The glass transition temperature (T_g) as determined from DSC scans increased with increasing amounts of CPA or CPI in copolymers. A significant improvement in the char yield was observed upon copolymerization. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1909–1915, 2005     

Free Radical Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate and Styrene with N-(4-Carboxyphenyl)maleimide

The free radical copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) or styrene (St) with N-(4-carboxyphenyl)maleimide (CPMI) was carried with AIBN as an initiator in THF solvent at 80°C. A series of copolymers of MMA and St with CPMI were prepared using different feed ratios of comonomers. The values of monomer reactivity ratios (r₁, r₂) determined by Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tudos methods are 0.26 and 2.51 in the CPMI/MMA system and 0.08 and 0.22 in the CPMI/St system. Alfrey–Price Q-e values for CPMI were calculated as Q = 1.05 and e = 0.41 in the CPMI/MMA system and Q = 1.21 and e = 0.91 in the CPMI/St system. The polymer samples have been characterized by solubility tests, intrinsic viscosity measurements, FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectral analysis, and thermo-gravimetric analysis. It was found that the initial and final decomposition temperatures increased with increasing the amount of CPMI in the copolymer. The integral procedural decomposition temperature and energy of activation of thermal degradation have also been reported.     

2,6-Bis-benzimidazolylpyridines as new catalyst in copper-based ATRP

The ligands, 2,6-bis(NH-benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine (L1) and 2,6-bis(N-methyl-benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine (L2), were synthesized by a one-step reaction of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid with a diamine (o-phenylenediamine or N-methyl-1,2-phenylenediamine), respectively, in syrupy phosphoric acid at ca. 200 °C. Their efficiency as a catalyst in Cu-based atom transfer radical polymerizations (ATRP) of methylmethacrylate (MMA) was investigated. The linear first-order kinetic plots were observed; indicating that the number of active species is constant during the polymerization and termination reactions are limited. The apparent rate constant values of ATRP of MMA with CuCl/L1 catalyst system at 90 °C in acetonitrile were found to be between 3.83 × 10^?5 and 1.33 × 10^?4 s^?1, while they were between 1.86 × 10^?4 and 4.40 × 10^?4 s^?1 in the case of CuCl/L2 catalyst, indicating the presence of lower radical concentration throughout the polymerization of MMA using CuCl/L1 catalyst system. In both the cases, low apparent rate constant values are obtained. This indicates that ATRP proceeded at reasonable rates and a good control over ATRP in general. Apparent rate constant vs [ligand]/[catalyst] ratio plots showed a maximum at the [ligand]/[catalyst] ratio of two. M _n,GPC values increased slightly linearly with conversion and molecular weight values were closer to M _n,th in the case of ATRP of MMA using CuCl/L2 catalyst complex. Cyclic voltammetry measurements confirmed that CuCl/L1 and CuCl/L2 complexes in acetonitrile give reversible redox couples and copper(I) centers in CuCl/L1 and CuCl/L2 catalyst complexes that are readily oxidized and they potentially suit to facile ATRP.     

Radiation-induced copolymerization of vinylphosphonic dichloride with methyl methacrylate and styrene

The γ-ray-induced copolymerization of vinylphosphonic dichloride (VPDC) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (St) was studied at 25°C (liquid phase) and ?78°C (Solid phase). The reaction mechanisms are discussed. The reactivity ratios for the copolymerization of the VPDC–MMA system were determined as follows: The difference between the reactivity between the liquid-phase (25°C) and solid-phase (?78°C) copolymerization is mainly attributable to the r₂ value. The behavior of the liquid-phase copolymerization of the VPDC–St system was anomalous, the r₁ value being negative in the range from 0 to 80 mole-% of VPDC monomer. In the solid-phase (?78°C) copolymerization for the VPDC–St system, the reactivity ratios r₁ and r₂ were 0.097 and 1.6, respectively. The rate of copolymerization (R_p) at 25°C, for both the VPDC–MMA and VPDC–St systems, passes a maximum point at a certain monomer concentration, suggesting that the composition of copolymer is considerably affected by R_p. This phenomenon was interpreted by the assumption that an energy transfer reaction from VPDC monomer to the other vinyl compound can easily occur.     

New low bandgap conjugated polymer derived from 2, 7‐carbazole and 5, 6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4, 7‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl) benzothiadiazole: Synthesis and photovoltaic properties

To develop conjugated polymers with low bandgap, deep HOMO level, and good solubility, a new conjugated alternating copolymer PC‐DODTBT based on N‐9′‐heptadecanyl‐2,7‐carbazole and 5, 6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)benzothiadiazole was synthesized by Suzuki cross‐coupling polymerization reaction. The polymer reveals excellent solubility and thermal stability with the decomposition temperature (5% weight loss) of 327°C. The HOMO level of PC‐DODTBT is ‐5.11 eV, indicating that the polymer has relatively deep HOMO level. The hole mobility of PC‐DODTBT as deduced from SCLC method was found to be 2.03 × 10^?4 cm²/Versus Polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on the blends of PC‐DODTBT and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₇₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) with a weight ratio of 1:2.5 were fabricated. Under AM 1.5 (AM, air mass), 100 mW/cm^?2 illumination, the devices were found to exhibit an open‐circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.73 V, short‐circuit current density (J_sc) of 5.63 mA/cm^?2, and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.44%. This photovoltaic performance indicates that the copolymer is promising for polymer solar cells applications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011