Self-assembly of brush-like poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] synthesized via aqueous atom transfer radical polymerization

Self-assembly of brush-like well-defined poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] homopolymers, abbreviated as P(PEGMA-475) and P(PEGMA-1100) is investigated in aqueous solution by employing dynamic/static light scattering (DLS/SLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), whereas 475 and 1100 is molar mass of the respective PEGMA macromonomer. The mentioned brush-like homopolymers are synthesized by aqueous ATRP at room temperature. The critical association concentration (CAC) of the synthesized polymers in water depends on the length of the PEG side chains but not on the overall molar mass of the polymer. Thus, approximately the same CAC of approximately 0.35 mg/mL is estimated for various P(PEGMA-1100) samples, and approximately 0.7 mg/mL is estimated for P(PEGMA-475) series. All the investigated P(PEGMA-1100) samples form multimolecular micelles in aqueous solution, where the hydrodynamic size (Rh) and the aggregation number (Nagg) of micelles decreases as the molecular weight of P(PEGMA-1100) increases. This can be attributed to the increased steric hindrances between the PEG side chains in corona of micelles formed by higher molar mass P(PEGMA-1100). The tendency of micelle formation by samples of P(PEGMA-475) series is significantly lower than that of P(PEGMA-1100) series, as demonstrated by their significantly higher CAC and micelles of lower Nagg. The Rh of micelles does not depend strongly on polymer concentration, which suggests that these micelles are formed via the closed association model. Micelles formed by P(PEGMA-1100) series slightly shrink with increase in temperature from 25 to 60 degrees C, while those of P(PEGMA-475) series are found to be insensitive to the same temperature variation. Finally, TEM is carried out to visualize the formed micelles after transferring the aqueous solution to carbon film.     

Synthesis and properties of polymer brushes composed of poly(diphenylacetylene) main chain and poly(ethylene glycol) side chains

Novel cylindrical polymer brushes consisting of poly(diphenylacetylene) main chain and poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether monomethacrylate) (PPEGMA) side chains were synthesized by the diphenylacetylene macromonomer or side chain initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether monomethacrylate (PEGMA) from an bromo isobutyryl-bearing poly(diphenylacetylene) (poly(BrDPA)) method. The diphenylacetylene macromonomer, namely, DPA-PPEGMA, were prepared by the ATRP of PEGMA from bromo isobutyryl-bearing diphenylacetylene. DPA-PPEGMA was polymerized successfully with WCl₆-Ph₄Sn catalyst to give high molecular weight polymer brushes poly(DPA-PPEGMA). Meanwhile, polymer brushes (PDPA-g-PPEGMA) were obtained by ATRP of PEGMA from poly(BrDPA). The molecular weight of the side chains of PPEGMA could be controlled simply by modulating the ATRP time. The macromonomer and polymer brushes are soluble in nonpolar solvents such as toluene and chloroform. The polymers of poly(BrDPA) and poly(DPA-PPEGMA) absorb in the longer wavelength region, with two peaks at around 370 and 414 nm. The polymers are thermally stable and exhibit double crystallization and melting peaks during the cooling and heating scans.     

Synthesis of bis-allyloxy functionalized polystyrene and poly (methyl methacrylate) macromonomers using a new ATRP initiator

A new bis-allyloxy functionalized ATRP initiator, viz, 4,4-bis (4-(allyloxy) phenyl) pentyl-2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate was synthesized starting from commercially available 4,4-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) pentanoic acid. Atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene in bulk and that of methyl methacrylate in anisole using CuBr/N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine system was carried out. The kinetic study of styrene polymerization showed controlled polymerization behavior. Bis-allyloxy functionalized well-defined polystyrene (M_n^GPC: 13,600–28,250, PDI: 1.07–1.09) and poly (methyl methacrylate) (M_n^GPC: 10,100–18,450, PDI: 1.23–1.34) macromonomers were obtained. The presence of allyloxy functionality was confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The reactivity of allyloxy functionality was demonstrated by carrying out organic reactions such as addition of bromine and hydrosilylation on polystyrene macromonomer. Polystyrene macromonomer with bis-allyloxy functionality was transformed into bis-epoxy functionalized polystyrene macromonomer using 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid.     

Thermogravimetric analysis of poly(alkyl methacrylates) and poly(methylmethacrylate-g-dimethyl siloxane) graft copolymers

The thermal stabilities of various poly(alkyl methacrylate) homopolymers and poly(methyl methacrylate-g-dimethyl siloxane) (PMMA-g-PSX) graft copolymers have been determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). As expected, the thermal stabilities of poly(alkyl methacrylates) were a function of the ester alkyl group, and polymerization mechanism. In particular, thermally labile linkages, which result from termination during free radical or nonliving polymerization mechanisms, decrease the ultimate thermal stabilities of the polymers. However, graft copolymers, which were prepared by the macromonomer technique with free radical initiators, exhibited enhanced thermal stability compared to homopolymer controls. A more complex free radical polymerization mechanism for the macromonomer modified polymerization may account for this result. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation of a uniform poly(methyl methacrylate) macromonomer and its polymerization

Syndiotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (st-PMMA) macromonomer having methacryloyl end group was prepared from st-PMMA living anion and separated into uniform macromonomers by means of supercritical fluid chromatography. A uniform macromonomer with the degree of polymerization of 32 was polymerized radically in benzene at 60°C. The uniform dimer, trimer and tetramer of the uniform macromonomer were isolated from the polymerization product by means of gel-permeation chromatography (GPC). The intrinsic viscosity ([η]) in tetrahydrofuran of these uniform comblike polymers was determined by GPC/differential viscometric analysis. The plot of logarithmic [η] against logarithmic molecular weight indicated that the trimer and tetramer assume a little shrinking molecular shape as compared with the unimer and dimer.     

Plasma-Induced Graft Polymerization of Poly(ethylene glycol) Methyl Ether Methacrylate on Si(100) Surfaces for Reduction in Protein Adsorption and Platelet Adhesion

Argon plasma-induced graft polymerization of a solution-coated macromonomer, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA), on the Si(100) surface was carried out to impart anti-fouling properties to the Si(100) surface. The surface composition and microstructure of the PEGMA graft-polymerized Si(100) surfaces were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. The extent of crosslinking in the plasma-graft polymerized PEGMA (pp-PEGMA) was estimated by gel fraction determination. In general, an appropriate RF power of about 15 W and a PEGMA macromonomer concentration of about 1 wt% in the coating solution for plasma polymerization produced a high graft yield of pp-PEGMA on the Si(100) surface (the pp-PEGMA-g-Si surface). The Si(100) surface with a high concentration of the grafted pp-PEGMA was effective in preventing bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption and platelet adhesion.     

Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) macromonomer

Anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in tetrahydrofuran (THF) or THF/toluene mixture at ?78°C initiated by triphenylmethyl sodium or lithium as initiators. Highly syndiotactic PMMA of low polydispersity (M _w/m _n = 1.11–1.17) could be prepared with triphenylmethyl lithium in THF or THF/toluene mixture at ? 78°C. Moreover, PMMA macromonomer having one vinylbenzyl group per polymer chain was prepared by the couplings of living PMMA initiated by triphenylmethyl lithium with p-chloromethyl styrene (CMS) at ?78°C. The coupling reaction of living PMMA initiated by triphenylmethyl sodium with CMS was scarcely occurred.     

Compatibilization of the PBA/PMMA core/shell latex interphase. I. Effect of PMMA macromonomer

In this work poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) macromonomer is used as a compatibilizing agent in a poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA)/PMMA core/shell latex system. The incorporation of the PMMA macromonomer was achieved by copolymerizing it with BA monomer using miniemulsion polymerization. PBA seed latex was also synthesized without the macromonomer present to compare the compatibilizing effects with the PMMA macromonomer. The second stage methyl methacrylate monomer was added semi-continuously to the PBA seed latexes under monomer-starved conditions. Solid-state ¹³C-NMR [H]T₁ρ relaxation studies were used to determine the effect of PMMA compatibilizer on these PBA/PMMA core/shell latex interphase regions. The thickness of the interphase of the core/shell particles prepared with and without the PMMA macromonomer compatibilizing agent are calculated to be in the range of 15–16 nm and 10–12 nm, respectively. Electron microscopy revealed that the seed latex prepared with the PMMA macromonomer achieved a more uniform coverage with the second stage PMMA polymer as compared to the latex synthesized without the compatibilizing agent present. It is concluded that the PMMA macromonomer is effective in increasing the thickness of the interphase region and also the amount of interfacial PMMA. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Copolymerization of the macromonomer poly(ethylene oxide) with styryl end group and styrene in the presence of poly(ε‐caprolactone) with 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyl‐1‐oxy end group by controlled radical mechanism

A copolymerization of macromonomer poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with a styryl end group (PEO_S) and styrene was successfully carried out in the presence of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) with 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyl‐1‐oxy end group (PCL_T). The resulting copolymer showed a narrower molecular weight distribution and controlled molecular weight. The effect of the molecular weight and concentration of PCL_T and PEO_S on the copolymerization are discussed. The purity of PEO_S exerted a significant effect on the copolymerization; when the diol contents of PEO macromonomer were greater than 1%, the crosslinking product was found. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2093–2099, 2004     

A novel synthesis of semitelechelic functional poly(methacrylate)s through an alcoholate initiated polymerization. Synthesis of poly[2-(N,N-diethylaminoethyl) methacrylate] macromonomer

Potassium alcoholate was found to initiate the anionic polymerization of 2-(N,N-diethylaminoethyl) methacrylate (AMA) to form poly[2-(N,N-diethylaminoethyl) methacrylate] (PAMA). The molecular weight of the polymers was controlled by the monomer-initiator ratio with a narrow molecular weight distribution. Increased reactivity of the initiator by chelation of the monomer to the cation may be important for the polymerization. Using potassium (4-vinylbenzyl) alcoholate as an initiator, PAMA having a vinylbenzyl group was prepared which is a macromonomer having pH sensitive amino groups in each monomeric unit. By radical copolymerization with styrene, the PAMA macromonomer was incorporated as a graft chain.     

Crosslinking free-radical polymerization of dimethacrylates in the presence of branched poly(methyl methacrylate)

The kinetics of polymerization of ethylene glycol and 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylates in the presence of branched and linear PMMAs, 1-decanethiol, and methylphenyl sulfide has been studied by isothermal calorimetry. The sol-gel analysis of 1,6-hexanediol polydimethacrylates prepared in the absence and presence of the branched PMMA is performed. The effect of the branched PMMA on the diffusion-sorption, mechanical, thermomechanical, and optical properties of polydimethacrylates is investigated. It has been established that, in the crosslinking free-radical polymerization of dimethacrylates, the branched PMMA serves both as a reactive macromonomer and a chemically inert additive—polymer filler.     

Synthesis of poly(p‐phenylene) macromonomers and multiblock copolymers

Rigid‐rod poly(4′‐methyl‐2,5‐benzophenone) macromonomers were synthesized by Ni(0) catalytic coupling of 2,5‐dichloro‐4′‐methylbenzophenone and end‐capping agent 4‐chloro‐4′‐fluorobenzophenone. The macromonomers produced were labile to nucleophilic aromatic substitution. The molecular weight of poly(4′‐methyl‐2,5‐benzophenone) was controlled by varying the amount of the end‐capping agent in the reaction mixture. Glass‐transition temperatures of the macromonomers increased with increasing molecular weight and ranged from 117 to 213 °C. Substitution of the macromonomer end groups was determined to be nearly quantitative by ¹H NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The polymerization of a poly(4′‐methyl‐2,5‐benzophenone) macromonomer [number‐average molecular weight (M_n) = 1.90 × 10³ g/mol; polydispersity (M_w)/M_n = 2.04] with hydroxy end‐capped bisphenol A polyaryletherketone (M_n = 4.50 × 10³ g/mol; M_w/M_n = 1.92) afforded an alternating multiblock copolymer (M_n = 1.95 × 10⁴ g/mol; M_w/M_n = 6.02) that formed flexible, transparent films that could be creased without cracking. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3505–3512, 2001     

Synthesis and characterization of a self-crosslinkable polymer from cardanol: Autooxidation of poly(cardanyl acrylate) to crosslinked film

Cardanyl acrylate (CA), a monomer that yields crosslinkable copolymers, was synthesized by the reaction of cardanol with acryloyl chloride. A linear polymer was obtained by solution polymerization of the monomer in toluene using 0.8% azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. Upon removal of solvent, the polymer undergoes crosslinking on exposure to air (or UV light) to give an insoluble transparent film. However, in bulk and suspension polymerization the polymer undergoes in situ crosslinking in the absence of any crosslinking agent. The polymer was characterized by IR, NMR, DSC, and GPC. The crosslinking reaction of soluble polymer on exposure to air at ambient conditions was explained by the hydroperoxide theory. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Micellar polymerization of amphiphilic poly(vinyl alcohol) macromonomer having a methacrylate end group prepared by aldol‐type group‐transfer polymerization

Amphiphilic and heterotactic‐rich poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) macromonomer, that is, PVA having a phenyl or phenoxyethyl methacrylate unit as the polymerizable end group, was synthesized via the aldol‐type group‐transfer polymerization (aldol‐GTP) technique. Aldol‐GTPs of vinyloxytriethylsilane (VOTES) were carried out in dichloromethane with 4‐methacryloylbenzaldehyde and 4‐(2‐methacryloylethoxy)benzaldehyde as the initiators with various Lewis acids. The polymerizations proceeded smoothly to give silylated PVA macromonomers (number‐average molecular weights: 1.3 × 10³–1.96 × 10⁴). Poly(VOTES) was easily desilylated to give heterotactic‐rich PVA macromonomer in good yield. The critical micelle concentration of the PVA macromonomer was determined by surface‐tension measurement. Micellar polymerization of the amphiphilic macromonomer gave comb‐shaped (graft) polymer having PVA side chains effectively (conversion: 80–82%), whereas polymerization in dimethyl sulfoxide (homogeneous state) did not. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 4477–4484, 2002     

Swelling studies of crosslinked poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) copolymers in sulfuric acid

In an attempt to improve the mechanical properties of extended chain polymers such as poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA), a crosslinkable terephthalic acid derivative (XTA) has been developed which can be incorporated into copolymers in various concentrations and activated after polymerization. The crosslinking of PPTA-co-XTA copolymer particles was investigated through a series of swelling experiments in concentrated H₂SO₄. The data show a systematic decrease in equilibrium swelling with increasing XTA content, indicating the XTA units are in fact acting as crosslink sites. Values for crosslink density were calculated from the Flory-Rehner theory of polymer swelling and compared with previous findings on crosslinked rigid polymer network systems. The effective number of crosslinks per XTA unit (efficiency) predicted by the Flory-Rehner theory increases and then decreases with % XTA. The decrease in crosslinking efficiency at high XTA concentrations is consistent with differential scanning calorimetry data which show the enthalpy of XTA reaction decreasing slightly with % XTA. The deviations at low % XTA may represent a failure of the Flory-Rehner theory to properly describe the rubbery elasticity of extended chain polymers. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Ultraviolet‐induced crosslinking of poly(butylene succinate) and its thermal property,dynamic mechanical property,and biodegradability

Crosslinking is an effective way to improve polymer properties. This paper focuses on ultraviolet‐induced crosslinking of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) in the presence of a photoinitiator and a crosslinking agent at ambient temperature. The effects of the concentration of photoinitiator, the crosslinking agent content, and the irradiation time on the crosslink behavior were investigated. To obtain an appropriate gel fraction in different irradiation times, 3.0 wt% of photoinitiator and 10.0 wt% of crosslinking agent were proved to be the optimum choice. Furthermore, properties such as thermal properties, dynamic mechanical property, and enzymatic degradation of PBS before and after crosslinking were examined. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed that glass transition temperature (T_g) increased with increase in gel fraction, while melting temperature (T_m) and the degree of crystallinity decreased. This may be caused by the reduced molecular chain mobility and inhibited molecular motion for crystallization in crosslinked samples. The crosslinked polymer also showed improved thermal stability and dynamic mechanical property. In addition, the introduction of crosslinking retarded the enzymatic degradation rate of PBS, but it was still biodegradable. The improved properties of crosslinked PBS will extend the application of PBS. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermoresponsive NIPAM block copolymers containing densely grafted poly(vinyl ether) brushes synthesized by a combination of living cationic polymerization and RAFT polymerization

Diblock copolymers consisting of a multibranched polymethacrylate segment with densely grafted poly[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl vinyl ether] pendants and a poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) segment were synthesized by a combination of living cationic polymerization and RAFT polymerization. A macromonomer having both a poly[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl vinyl ether] backbone and a terminal methacryloyl group was synthesized by living cationic polymerization. The sequential RAFT copolymerizations of the macromonomer and N‐isopropylacrylamide in this order were performed in aqueous media employing 4‐cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate as a chain transfer agent and 4,4′‐azobis(4‐cyanopentanoic acid) as an initiator. The obtained diblock copolymers possessed relatively narrow molecular weight distributions and controlled molecular weights. The thermoresponsive properties of these polymers were investigated. Upon heating, the aqueous solutions of the diblock copolymers exhibited two‐stage thermoresponsive properties denoted by the appearance of two cloud points, indicating that the densely grafted poly[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl vinyl ether] pendants and the poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) segments independently responded to temperature. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Synthesis,characterization and computational investigation of poly(styrene-co-1-methylpyrenyl methacrylate): its efficiency as a macrophotoinitiator

Abstract

In this study, it has been demonstrated that poly(styrene-co-1-methylpyrenyl methacrylate) macro-photoinitiator (PSMM) containing side chain pyrene moieties were successfully prepared using “radical polymerization method.” Firstly, 1-pyrene methanol and methacryloyl chloride were reacted in dichloromethane for 24?h at 0?°C in order to give 1-methoxy pyrene methacrylate macromonomer. Then styrene was polymerized with this macromonomer to obtained macro-photoinitiator. The synthesized copolymer is also both computationally and experimentally demonstrated that the macro-photoinitiator obtained has similar absorption characteristics with the parent pyrene molecule. According to obtained results, the synthesized copolymer was more effective in the presence of triethyl amine as a macro-photoinitiator.     

Thermoresponsive nanostructured poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels made via inverse microemulsion polymerization

The synthesis of nanostructured poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (polyNIPA) hydrogels by a two-stage polymerization process is reported here. The process involves the synthesis of slightly crosslinked polyNIPA nanoparticles by inverse (w/o) microemulsion polymerization; then, these particles are dried, cleaned and dispersed in an aqueous solution of NIPA and a crosslinking agent (N,N-methylene-bis-acrylamide or NMBA) and polymerized to produce the nanostructured hydrogels. Their swelling and de-swelling kinetics, volume phase transition temperatures (T _VPT) and mechanical properties at the equilibrium swollen state are investigated as a function of the weight ratio of polyNIPA particles to monomer (NIPA). The nanostructured gels exhibit larger equilibrium water uptake, faster swelling and de-swelling rates and similar T _VPT than those of the conventional ones; moreover, the elastic and Young moduli are larger than those of the conventional hydrogels at similar swelling ratios. The fast swelling and de-swelling kinetics are explained in terms of the controlled inhomogeneities introduced by the method of synthesis.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol) grafted poly(L-lactide)

Poly(ethylene glycol) grafted poly(L -lactide) was prepared by ring opening polymerization of L -lactide and epoxy-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (PEGME). Stannous octoate and Al(Et)₃·0.5 H₂O were tested as polymerization catalysts, and Al(Et)₃·0.5 H₂O was found to be more effective for the ring-opening of the epoxy group of the modified PEGME monomer. The synthesized polymers were characterized by NMR and the efficiency of the incorporation of epoxy-terminated PEGME in the copolymer was determined.