Synthesis of fluorescent,dansyl end‐functionalized PMMA and poly(methyl methacrylate‐b‐phenanthren‐1‐yl‐methacrylate) diblock copolymers,at ambient temperature

The polymerization of MMA, at ambient temperature, mediated by dansyl chloride is investigated using controlled radical polymerization methods. The solution ATRP results in reasonably controlled polymerization with PDI < 1.3. The SET‐LRP polymerization is less controlled while SET‐RAFT polymerization is controlled producing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with the PDI < 1.3. In all the cases, the polymerization rate followed first order kinetics with respect to monomer conversion and the molecular weight of the polymer increased linearly with conversion. The R group in the CTAs do not appear to play a key role in controlling the propagation rate. SET‐RAFT method appears to be a simpler tool to produce methacrylate polymers, under ambient conditions, in comparison with ATRP and SET‐LRP. Fluorescent diblock copolymers, P(MMA‐b‐PhMA), were synthesized. These were highly fluorescent with two distinguishable emission signatures from the dansyl group and the phenanthren‐1‐yl methacrylate block. The fluorescence emission spectra reveal interesting features such as large red shift when compared to the small molecule. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

ATRP of MMA under 60Co γ‐irradiation at room temperature

In this work, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was successfully carried out at room temperature (25 °C) under ⁶⁰Co γ‐irradiation environment. The polymerization proceeded smoothly with high conversion (>90%) within 7 h. The polymerizations kept the features of controlled radical polymerization: first‐order kinetics, well‐predetermined number‐average molecular weights (M_n,GPC), and narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n < 1.25). ¹H NMR spectroscope and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry confirmed that poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) chain was end‐capped by the initiator moieties. The Cu(II) concentration could reduce to 20 ppm level while keeping good control over molecular weights. This is the first successful example for the ATRP of MMA under ⁶⁰Co γ‐irradiation at room temperature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) in protic media through atom transfer radical polymerization using activators generated by electron transfer

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using activators generated by electron transfer (AGET) was investigated for the controlled polymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in a protic solvent, a 3/2 (v/v) mixture of methyl ethyl ketone and methanol. The AGET process enabled ATRP to be started with an air‐stable Cu(II) complex that was reduced in situ by tin(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate. The reaction temperature, Cu catalysts with different ligands, and variation of the initial concentration ratio of HEMA to the initiator were examined for the synthesis of well‐controlled poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and a poly(methyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) block copolymer. The level of control in AGET ATRP was similar to that in normal ATRP in protic solvents, and this resulted in a linear increase in the molecular weight with the conversion and a narrow molecular weight distribution (weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight < 1.3). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3787–3796, 2006     

Photoirradiated Fe-Mediated AGET ATRP of Methyl Methacrylate in the Presence of Alcohol

In this study, photoirradiated Fe-mediated AGET (activators generated by electron transfer) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was investigated at ambient temperature in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) using carbon tetrachloride as initiator, FeCl₃·6H₂O/bipyridine (Bpy) as catalyst complex, and alcohol as reducing agent. Linear semi-logarithmic plot of conversion vs. time was obtained from the kinetic experiments, and the number-average molecular weight increased linearly with monomer conversion and corresponded to the theoretic values with molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n) as low as 1.25, which agreed with the character of controlled/living polymerization. The kinds of alcohol played an important role in photoirradiated Fe-mediated AGET ATRP of MMA. The living characteristics were demonstrated through chain extension experiment. The obtained polymer was characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gel permeation chromatography.     

Synthesis of well‐defined cyclodextrin‐core star polymers

The synthesis of 21‐arm methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene star polymers is reported. The copper (I)‐mediated living radical polymerization of MMA was carried out with a cyclodextrin‐core‐based initiator with 21 independent discrete initiation sites: heptakis[2,3,6‐tri‐O‐(2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionyl]‐β‐cyclodextrin. Living polymerization occurred, providing well‐defined 21‐arm star polymers with predicted molecular weights calculated from the initiator concentration and the consumed monomer as well as low polydispersities [e.g., poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), number‐average molecular weight (M_n) = 55,700, polydispersity index (PDI) = 1.07; M_n = 118,000, PDI = 1.06; polystyrene, M_n = 37,100, PDI = 1.15]. Functional methacrylate monomers containing poly(ethylene glycol), a glucose residue, and a tert‐amine group in the side chain were also polymerized in a similar fashion, leading to hydrophilic star polymers, again with good control over the molecular weight and polydispersity (M_n = 15,000, PDI = 1.03; M_n = 36,500, PDI = 1.14; and M_n = 139,000, PDI = 1.09, respectively). When styrene was used as the monomer, it was difficult to obtain well‐defined polystyrene stars at high molecular weights. This was due to the increased occurrence of side reactions such as star–star coupling and thermal (spontaneous) polymerization; however, low‐polydispersity polymers were achieved at relatively low conversions. Furthermore, a star block copolymer consisting of PMMA and poly(butyl methacrylate) was successfully synthesized with a star PMMA as a macroinitiator (M_n = 104,000, PDI = 1.05). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2206–2214, 2001     

Synthesis of well‐defined polymer brushes on the surface of zinc antimonate nanoparticles through surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

Zinc antimonate nanoparticles consisting of antimony and zinc oxide were surface modified in a methanol solvent medium using triethoxysilane‐based atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiating group (i.e.,) 6‐(2‐bromo‐2‐methyl) propionyloxy hexyl triethoxysilane. Successful grafting of ATRP initiator on the surface of nanoparticles was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis that shows a significant weight loss at around 250–410 °C. Grafting of ATRP initiator onto the surface was further corroborated using Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface‐initiated ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) mediated by a copper complex was carried out with the initiator‐fixed zinc antimonate nanoparticles in the presence of a sacrificial (free) initiator. The polymerization was preceded in a living manner in all examined cases; producing nanoparticles coated with well defined poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) brushes with molecular weight in the range of 35–48K. Furthermore, PMMA‐grafted zinc antimonate nanoparticles were characterized using Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) that exhibit significant weight loss in the temperature range of 300–410 °C confirming the formation of polymer brushes on the surface with the graft density as high as 0.26–0.27 chains/nm². The improvement in the dispersibility of PMMA‐grafted zinc antimonate nanoparticles was verified using ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

碱性离子液体催化金属调节的甲基丙烯酸甲酯的电子转移活化原子转移自由基聚合

通过电子转移活化原子转移自由基聚合（AGET ATRP）,以2-溴代异丁酸乙酯（EBiB）为引发剂、维生素C（VC）为还原剂。 以碱性离子液体1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑氢氧化盐([Bmim][OH])分别和FeCl3·6H2O、CuCl2及RuCl3形成的配合物为催化剂催化甲基丙烯酸甲酯（MMA）的本体和溶液聚合。 催化量的[Bmim][OH]即可提高聚合速率,并且得到相对分子质量分布可控的PMMA（Mw/Mn为1.20～1.40）。 研究了[Bmim][OH]的加入量对聚合速率和相对分子质量分布的影响,3种催化体系催化性质通过循环伏安曲线表征。 扩链反应证明了碱性离子液体催化甲基丙烯酸甲酯的聚合为“活性”/可控自由基聚合。 碱性离子液体良好的溶解性使其成为活性自由基聚合的良好催化剂。     

Emulsion atom transfer radical block copolymerization of 2‐ethylhexyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate

The emulsion atom transfer radical block copolymerization of 2‐ethylhexyl methacrylate (EHMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out with the bifunctional initiator 1,4‐butylene glycol di(2‐bromoisobutyrate). The system was mediated by copper bromide/4,4′‐dinonyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl and stabilized by polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The effects of the initiator concentration and temperature profile on the polymerization kinetics and latex stability were systematically examined. Both EHMA homopolymerization and successive copolymerization with MMA proceeded in a living manner and gave good control over the polymer molecular weights. The polymer molecular weights increased linearly with the monomer conversion with polydispersities lower than 1.2. A low‐temperature prepolymerization step was found to be helpful in stabilizing the latex systems, whereas further polymerization at an elevated temperature ensured high conversion rates. The EHMA polymers were effective as macroinitiators for initiating the block polymerization of MMA. Triblock poly(methyl methacrylate–2‐ethylhexyl methacrylate–methyl methacrylate) samples with various block lengths were synthesized. The MMA and EHMA reactivity ratios determined by a nonlinear least‐square method were ～0.903 and ～0.930, respectively, at 70 °C. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1914–1925, 2006     

Use of a simple surface-active initiator in controlled/living free-radical miniemulsion polymerization under AGET and ARGET ATRP conditions

This communication describes the first example of the efficient use of a simple amphiphilic molecule as both a surfactant and an initiator in the miniemulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate under AGET and ARGET ATRP conditions.     

Facile synthesis of gemini surface-active ATRP initiator and its use in soap-free AGET ATRP mini-emulsion polymerisation

A novel cationic gemini surfactant has been readily synthesised in 70 % total yield. The functional gemini surfactant can act both as an emulsifier and an atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) initiator in mini-emulsion polymerisation of methyl methacrylate (MMA), in which no other emulsifier was required. 1-(Dimethylamino)dodecane (N,N-dimethyldodecylamine, DMDA) was found to be a good ligand in the activator generated by electron transfer (AGET) ATRP reaction. Kinetic studies indicated that the polymerisation featured controlled/living radical polymerisation.     

Preparation of poly(methyl methacrylate) grafted hydroxyapatite nanoparticles via reverse ATRP

Surface-initiated reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (reverse ATRP) technical was successfully employed to modify hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticles with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The peroxide initiator moiety for reverse ATRP was covalently attached to the HAP surface through the surface hydroxyl groups. Reverse ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) from the initiator-functionalized HAP was carried out, and the end bromide groups of grafted PMMA initiated ATRP of MMA subsequently. Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to confirm the grafting and to characterize the nanoparticle structure. The grafted PMMA gave HAP nanoparticles excellent dispersibility in MMA monomer. As the amount of grafted PMMA increased, the dispersibility of surface-grafted HAP and the compressive strength of HAP/PMMA composites were improved.     

Cyclodextrins in polymer synthesis: polymerization of methyl methacrylate under atom‐transfer conditions (ATRP) in aqueous solution

Host guest complexes of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and randomly methylated β‐cyclodextrin (m‐β‐CD, 1 a ) were polymerized in aqueous medium using atom‐transfer radical polymerization. Ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate (EBIB) was used as an initiator, copper(I) bromide as the catalyst, and bipyridine (bipy) or 4,4′‐di‐(5‐nonyl)‐2,2´‐bipyridine (dNbipy) as ligands. The unthreading of m‐β‐CD during the polymerization led to water‐insoluble poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). It was found that using dNbipy resulted in higher monomer conversion than using bipy as the ligand under similar conditions. Furthermore, it is shown that the polymerization of MMA under these conditions has a living character. The polymers obtained have a much lower polydispersity than those obtained from conventional free‐radical polymerization. Also, the block copolymerization of PMMA bearing a bromoester end group with CD‐complexed styrene ( 2 a ) was carried out under ATRP conditions in aqueous medium.     

Syntheses of cardanol-based cationic surfactants and their use in emulsion polymerisation

Six quaternary ammonium salts were designed and synthesised with moderate to high yields in three steps, based on cardanol, a low-cost and abundant renewable resource. The new ammonium salts can act as reactive surfactants due to their having both a hydrophilic ammonium group and a hydrophobic unsaturated alkyl chain. The gemini surfactants with a linker of a linear saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain exhibited a relatively low CMC value (≤ 0.2 mmol L^?1) and surface tension (≤ 27 mN m^?1), signifying that this kind of amphiphile exhibited good surface active properties. The photo-active gemini surfactant with critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 0.05 mmol L^?1 was used successfully as the sole emulsifier in the emulsion polymerisation of methyl methacrylate (MMA). In addition, a benzyl bromide-containing surfactant can act as both an atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) initiator and an emulsifier in an activator generated by the electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerisation (AGET ATRP) of MMA in emulsion. The value of the number-average molecular mass of the resulting cardanol-end poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is M_n,GPC = 45.1 kDa, with polydispersity of 1.39.     

Synthesis of a photoactive gemini surfactant and its use in AGET ATRP miniemulsion polymerisation and UV curing

A novel photoactive gemini surfactant was easily synthesised in high yields. The multi-functional molecule can be used as a gemini surfactant, a benzophenone type photoinitiator, and as an ATRP initiator. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-poly(allyl methacrylate) (PMMA-b-PAMA) were prepared using the photoactive gemini surfactant as an ATRP initiator under soap-free miniemulsion polymerisation conditions. Kinetic results of the miniemulsion polymerisation of methyl methacrylate (MMA) indicate that the reaction has controlled/living characteristics. UV curing was performed by irradiation of the linear PMMA-b-PAMA polymer, in which PMMA-b-PAMA containing a benzophenone moiety functioned as a macromolecular photoinitiator.     

Cuso4‐amine redox‐initiated radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate mediated by a CuCl2 complex: Homogeneous reverse ATRP

Kinetic results of CuSO₄/2,2'‐bipyridine(bPy)‐amine redox initiated radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) at 70 to 90 °C in dimethylsulfoxide suggest that such initiation is characteristic of a slow rate and a low initiator efficiency, but tertiary amines exhibit a relatively higher rate. UV‐Vis spectroscopy confirms the alpha‐amino functionality of PMMA chains. CuCl₂/bPy successfully mediates the redox‐initiated radical polymerization of MMA with aliphatic tertiary amines in a fashion of slow‐initiated reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), i.e. both the initiator efficiency of aliphatic tertiary amines and the average molecular weight of PMMA increase gradually, while the molecular weight distribution remains narrow but become broader with the conversions. As the PMMA chains contain alpha amino and omega C‐Cl moieties, UV‐induced benzophenone‐initiated radical polymerization and Cu^ICl/bPy‐catalyzed ATRP initiated from PMMA lead to block copolymers from terminal functionalities. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2562‐2578     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate via reversibly supported catalysts on silica gel via self‐assembly

A reversible catalyst immobilization system via self‐assembly of hydrogen bonding between thymine anchored on silica gel support and 2,6‐diaminopyridine functionalized with a catalyst (copper bromide‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetraethyldiethylenetriamine (TEDETA) complex) was developed for the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA). At elevated temperatures, the hydrogen bonding disassociated and released the catalyst as free small molecules for catalysis, which effectively mediated a living polymerization of MMA, producing PMMA with controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution (<1.3). At room temperature, the catalyst assembled on the silica gel support by hydrogen bonding, and thus could be recovered and reused for a second run of ATRP. The recovered catalyst still mediated a living polymerization of MMA with reduced activity (54–64%), but had much improved control of the polymerization. The resulting PMMA had molecular weights very close to theoretical vales. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 22–30, 2004     

Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) via ARGET ATRP and study of the effect of solvents and temperatures on its polymerization kinetics

This investigation reports the synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) via activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP) and studies the effect of solvents and temperature on its polymerization kinetics. ARGET ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in different solvents and at different temperatures using CuBr₂ as catalyst in combination with N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as a ligand. Methyl 2‐chloro propionate was used as ATRP initiator and ascorbic acid was used as a reducing agent in the ARGET ATRP of MMA. The conversion was measured gravimetrically. The semilogarithmic plot of monomer conversion versus time was found to be linear, indicating that the polymerization follows first‐order kinetics. The linear polymerization kinetic plot also indicates the controlled nature of the polymerization. N,N‐Dimethylformamide (DMF), tetrahydrofuran (THF), toluene, and methyl ethyl ketone were used as solvents to study the effect on the polymerization kinetics. The effect of temperature on the kinetics of the polymerization was also studied at various temperatures. It has been observed that polymerization followed first‐order kinetics in every case. The rate of polymerization was found to be highest (k_app = 6.94 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹) at a fixed temperature when DMF was used as solvent. Activation energies for ARGET ATRP of MMA were also calculated using the Arrhenius equation.     

N,N-二乙基硫代氨基甲酰硫基团(S_2CNEt_2)为假卤原子转移的原子转移自由基聚合新体系

综述了原子转移自由基聚合 (ATRP)中 ,以N ,N 二乙基硫代氨基甲酰硫基团 (S2 CNEt2 )转移实现活性聚合、控制聚合物结构的 4种新方法 :非卤化物 ,N ,N 二乙基二硫代氨基甲酸亚铜 [Cu(S2 CNEt2 ) ]催化甲基丙烯酸甲酯 (MMA)的正向ATRP ;2 ,2′ 联吡啶存在的条件下 ,过氧化苯甲酰 (BPO)与Cu(S2 CNEt2 )的氧化还原反应控制MMA的本体反向ATRP;同时含可转移卤原子、基团的氯化二乙基二硫代氨基甲酸铜 [Cu(S2 CNEt2 ) Cl]成功地用于偶氮二异丁腈或BPO引发的乙烯类单体反向ATRP.假卤原子S2 CNEt2 转移的ATRP得到窄分布的精确结构聚合物分子链ω 端含有光敏基团S2 CNEt2 ,可引发乙烯类单体的常温光聚合 ,实现ATRP与光聚合相结合制备嵌段共聚物     

Matrix‐grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes/poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites synthesized by in situ RAFT polymerization: A kinetic study

A new approach was developed to functionalize multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with a polymerizable methyl methacrylate (MMA) groups, and the structure of functionalized MWCNTs were characterized by FTIR, Raman, XPS, and TEM. Using the strategy of “grafting through,” poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) chains were grafted onto the surface of MWCNTs during the in situ synthesis of MWCNT/PMMA nanocomposites over reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Kinetics of RAFT‐mediated polymerization of MMA in the presence of MMA‐grafted MWCNTs was studied by using gas chromatography and gel permeation chromatography. To further study, attached polymers were detached and their molecular characteristics were compared to freely formed chains. Results of kinetic studies showed that the utilized commercial chain transfer agent strictly reduced the rate of polymerization as well as relatively controlled molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions of free chains. MWCNTs showed a radical activity, retarding the polymerization and reducing the rate of reaction. The effect of MWCNTs concentrations on molecular weights and polydispersity indexes (PDI) was different at the surface and in the bulk. The molecular weights of free chains increased, and the PDI was decreased with increasing MWCNTs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 555–569, 2012     

表面引发的原子转移自由基聚合法在聚偏二氟乙烯表面制备可控的聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯刷

采用表面引发的原子转移自由基聚合法(ATRP)在聚偏二氟乙烯(PVDF)表面制备结构可控的聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯刷。通过碱处理和紫外光照溴代的方法,将ATRP引入到PVDF表面; 然后采用ATRP法将甲基丙烯酸甲酯接枝到溴代的PVDF表面。采用傅里叶变换红外光谱和X-射线光电子能谱对改性前后PVDF表面的结构进行了表征。结果表明甲基丙烯酸甲酯成功地接枝到了PVDF表面。