Preparation and characterization of polysiloxane-poly(butyl acrylate-styrene) composite latices and their film properties

Gamma ray induced seeded emulsion co-polymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate was carried out in the presence of polymerizable polysiloxane seed latex which was obtained by the ring opening co-polymerization of octamethyl cyclotetrasiloxane (D₄) and tetramethyl tetravinyl cyclotetrasiloxane (VD₄) catalyzed by dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid (DBSA). A series of polysiloxane seed latices with different molecular weight, vinyl content, and particle size were used. The conversion-time curve showed that the polymerization rate was accelerated much by the seed latex. The obtained composite latices also showed good storage stability, mechanical stability and high electrolyte resistance ability. The morphology of the composite latex particles was found to be a quite uniform fine structure by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The graft polymerization between polymerizable polysiloxane and butyl acrylate or styrene was confirmed by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the graft efficiency was also studied. The influence of seed content, molecular weight, vinyl content of the polysiloxane and seed latex particles size to the mechanical performance, water absorption ratio, surface properties, transparency and UV resistance of the latex films, was also investigated.     

Synthesis of silicone–acrylate copolymer latexes and their film properties

Emulsion copolymerization of silicones (octomethyl tetracyclosiloxane, D₄ and methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane, MATS) and acrylics was carried out using three different polymerization processes: semicontinuous monomer emulsion addition, batch and initiator solution addition. Results showed that only the semicontinuous process led to a stable latex with monodisperse particles. Various polymerizations were carried out through this process with varying silicone/acrylic ratios and MATS content. Films were obtained from different latexes: their properties are significantly influenced by silicone and MATS contents in copolymers.     

Synthesis and properties of soap-free poly(methyl methacrylate-ethyl acrylate-methacrylic acid) latex particles prepared by seeded emulsion polymerization

In order to obtain functional polymer latex particles with clean surface and with surface carboxyl groups, P(MMA-EA) seed particles with the diameter of 335 nm were first synthesized via soap-free batch emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and ethyl acrylate (EA), and then the seeded emulsion copolymerization of MMA, EA and MAA (methacrylic acid) onto the seed particles were performed in the absence of emulsifier. Influences of ingredients and conditions on polymerization, latex particle size (D_p) and its distribution were investigated. Results showed that most of the monomers polymerized onto the seed latex particles in the second step of polymerization by using drop-wise addition method, and D_p increased from 483 nm to 829 nm with the mass ratio of core/shell monomers [C]/[S] decreased from 1:2 to 1:15. It was found that D_p decreased with the increase of MAA and initiator amounts, and the size of the latex particles became uniform with the decrease of MAA amount and with the increase of [C]/[S] value.     

Ionic polymerization in aqueous emulsion

A kinetic study of the anionic polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄) in aqueous emulsion has been carried out in the presence of ionic additives. The rate of polymerization of several cyclosiloxanes has been compared, leading to additional evidence for an interfacial mechanism of polymerization. The emulsion process has been applied to the cationic polymerization of D₄ and of tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D^H₄) initiated by dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid. Very efficient for the synthesis of linear polymethylhydrogenosiloxanes (PMHS), these conditions did not seem suitable for the polymerization of D₄. The extension of the process to other heterocyclic monomers is discussed through the anionic polymerization of phenylglycidylether.     

Synthesis and morphology of Fe3O4/polystyrene/poly(isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methyl acrylate acid) magnetic composite latex – 2,2′‐azobis (2‐methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride as initiator

In this work, Fe₃O₄/polystyrene/poly(N‐isopropylacryl amide‐co‐methylacrylate acid) (Fe₃O₄/PS/P(NIPAAM‐co‐MAA)) magnetic composite latex was synthesized by the method of two stage emulsion polymerization. In this reaction system, 2,2′‐azobis(2‐methyl propionamidine) dihydrochloride (AIBA) was used as initiator to initiate the first stage reaction and second stage reaction. The Fe₃O₄ particles were prepared by a traditional coprecipitation method. Fe₃O₄ particles were surface treated by either PAA oligomer or lauric acid to form the stable ferrofluid. The first stage for the synthesis of magnetic composite latex was to synthesize PS in the presence of ferrofluid by soapless emulsion polymerization to form the Fe₃O₄/PS composite latex particles. Following the first stage of reaction, the second stage of polymerization was carried out by the method of soapless emulsion polymerization with NIPAAM and MAA as monomers and Fe₃O₄/PS latex as seeds. The magnetic composite particles, Fe₃O₄/PS/P(NIPAAM‐co‐MAA), were thus obtained. The mechanism of the first stage reaction and second stage reaction were investigated. Moreover, the effects of PAA and lauric acid on the reaction kinetics, morphology, and particle size distribution were studied. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3912–3921, 2007     

Mechanism of formation of cyclic species in cationic ring-opening polymerization of cyclodimethylsiloxanes

A general feature of the cationic polymerization of all cyclodimethylsiloxanes is the formation of various cyclic products (cyclics) together with that of a linear high polymer. However, the types of cyclics as well as their rate of formation may vary considerably according to the number x of D units ((CH₃)₂SiO units) in the monomer. The case of initiation by trifluoromethanesulfonic (triflic) acid in methylene chloride solution at 20°C has been particularly studied. With D₄, D₅, D₆ and D₇, for which the polymerization rate increases with the size of the ring, all types of cycles D_x are formed in relative amount decreasing with their size ([D₇] < [D₆] < [D₅] < [D₄]). The high polymer final concentration and molecular weight are independent from triflic acid concentration. This may result from a polymerization-depolymerization reaction, involving all the cyclics formed by back-biting reactions occurring with silyl triflates activated by the acid, and leading finally to an equilibrium. The situation with D₃ is completely different. The high polymer (HP) and the cyclics (D_3x multiples of D₃ like D₆, D₉, …) are formed simultaneously under kinetic control. The yields of the various cyclics (formed in amount often larger than that of the HP) are proportional to that of the linear HP. The latter is formed from the beginning of the reaction with a molecular weight proportional to HP yield and inversely proportional to the acid concentration. The opposite role of added water on the polymerization is discussed: an activating effect for D₃, and a desactivating one for D₄, D₅ and D₆. “Copolymerization” experiments between D₃ (or D₄) and tetramethyldisiloxane diol confirmed the effect of water and gave new informations about the occurrence - or absence - of condensation reactions in the mechanism of the growth of the polymer chains. A discussion leads to the conclusion that while the cationic polymerization of D₄ by triflic acid is propagated by activated triflic esters, that of D₃ may also involve the monomer activated by the higher hydrates of the acid and linear oligomeric silanol esters. The latter, formed continuously, may also give the D_3x cyclics by intramolecular heterocondensation.     

Fabrication and Characterization of Sulfonate‐containing Polystyrene/CaCO3 Core‐shell Nanoparticles

Polystyrene (PSt) seed latex was first prepared via soap‐free emulsion polymerization in the presence of a small amount of methacrylic acid using ammonium persulfate as initiator, and then seeded emulsion polymerization of sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate (NaSS) and St was carried out to synthesize P(St‐NaSS) core latex using 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. After that, P(St‐NaSS)/CaCO₃ core‐shell nanoparticles were fabricated by sequentially introducing Ca(OH)₂ aqueous solution and CO₂ gas into the core latex. The morphology of the core and core‐shell nanoparticles was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the state of CaCO₃ shell was confirmed with high‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscope (HR‐STEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). Results showed that PNaSS chains were successfully grafted onto the PSt seed surface, and length of the PNaSS "hairs" could be modulated by adjusting NaSS amount. Sulfonic groups of the PNaSS hairs served as additives in the formation and stabilization of amorphous CaCO₃(ACC) and prevented ACC from sequent transformation into crystalline states. The amount of the anchored CaCO₃ increased with the growth of PNaSS hair length, and reached 51 wt% (by thermalgravimetric analysis) under the optimal encapsulating temperature of 45°C. Moreover, the forming mechanism of P(St‐NaSS)/CaCO₃ core‐shell nanoparticles was proposed.     

Cationic polymerization behavior of isobutyl vinyl ether with arenesulfonates as non‐salt‐type latent thermal initiators

Substituted and unsubstituted benzenesulfonic acid cyclohexyl esters (1–7) were synthesized, and their possibility as latent thermal initiators in the cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) was examined to develop novel non‐salt type latent cationic initiators. Thermal decomposition of cyclohexyl p‐nitrobenzenesulfonate (2) in C₆D₆ at 80°C proceeded to exclusively afford cyclohexene as well as p‐nitrobenzenesulfonic acid. Cationic polymerization of IBVE with 1 mol % of an arenesulfonate (1–6) in bulk was carried out at 40–100°C for 12 h. No polymerization took place below 50°C, while the consumption of IBVE depending on both the polymerization temperature and the structure of the arenesulfonates was observed above 60°C. The obtained polyIBVEs showed bimodal GPC curves in several cases, revealing the intervention of two independent propagation species in the polymerization. The cationic polymerization of IBVE with cyclohexyl 2,4,6‐triisopropylbenzenesulfonate (7) at 80°C confirmed the acceleration effect of bulkiness on the polymerization rate. It was concluded that the polymerization was largely dependent on both electronic and steric factors of the aryl groups of the initiators which were directly related to the stability of the sulfonate anions. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 293–301, 1999     

Preparation of poly(methyl methacrylate)–poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐butadiene) core–shell nanoparticles

Poly(methyl methacrylate)–poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐butadiene) (PMMA–NBR) core–shell structured nanoparticles were prepared using a two‐stage semibatch microemulsion polymerization system with PMMA and NBR as the core and shell, respectively. The Gemini surfactant 12‐3‐12 was used as the emulsifier and found to impose a pronounced influence on the formation of core–shell nanoparticles. The spherical morphology of core–shell nanoparticles was observed. It was found that there exists an optimal MMA addition amount, which can result in the minimized size of PMMA–NBR core–shell nanoparticles. The formation mechanism of the core–shell structure and the interaction between the core and shell domains was illustrated. The PMMA–NBR nanosize latex can be used as the substrate for the following direct latex hydrogenation catalyzed by Wilkinson's catalyst to prepare the PMMA–HNBR (hydrogenated NBR) core–shell nanoparticles. The hydrogenation rate is rapid. In the absence of any organic solvent, the PMMA–HNBR nanoparticles with a size of 30.6 nm were obtained within 3 h using 0.9 wt % Wilkinson's catalyst at 130 °C under 1000 psi of H₂. This study provides a new perspective in the chemical modification of NBR and shows promise in the realization of a “green” process for the commercial hydrogenation of unsaturated elastomers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Direct through anionic,cationic, and radical active species: Terminal carbon–halogen bond for “controlled”/living polymerizations of styrene

In this work, we examined the synthesis of novel block (co)polymers by mechanistic transformation through anionic, cationic, and radical living polymerizations using terminal carbon–halogen bond as the dormant species. First, the direct halogenation of growing species in the living anionic polymerization of styrene was examined with CCl₄ to form a carbon–halogen terminal, which can be employed as the dormant species for either living cationic or radical polymerization. The mechanistic transformation was then performed from living anionic polymerization into living cationic or radical polymerization using the obtained polymers as the macroinitiator with the SnCl₄/n‐Bu₄NCl or RuCp^*Cl(PPh₃)/Et₃N initiating system, respectively. Finally, the combination of all the polymerizations allowed the synthesis block copolymers including unprecedented gradient block copolymers composed of styrene and p‐methylstyrene. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 465–473     

Synthesis and morphology of an iron oxide/polystyrene/poly(isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid) thermosensitive magnetic composite latex with potassium persulfate as the initiator

In this work, an iron oxide (Fe₃O₄)/polystyrene (PS)/poly(N‐isopropylacryl amide‐co‐methacrylic acid) [P(NIPAAM–MAA)] thermosensitive magnetic composite latex was synthesized by the method of two‐stage emulsion polymerization. The Fe₃O₄ particles were prepared by a traditional coprecipitation method and then surface‐treated with either a PAA oligomer or lauric acid to form a stable ferrofluid. The first stage for the synthesis of the thermosensitive magnetic composite latex was to synthesize PS in the presence of a ferrofluid by emulsion polymerization to form Fe₃O₄/PS composite latex particles. Following the first stage of reaction, the second stage of polymerization was carried out with N‐isopropylacryl amide and methacrylic acid as monomers and with Fe₃O₄/PS latex as seeds. The Fe₃O₄/PS/[P(NIPAAM–MAA)] thermosensitive magnetic particles were thus obtained. The effects of the ferrofluids on the reaction kinetics, morphology, and particle size of the latex were discussed. A reaction mechanism was proposed in accordance with the morphology observation of the latex particles. The thermosensitive property of the thermosensitive magnetic composite latex was also studied. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3062–3072, 2007     

Modification of epoxy-novolac resins with polysiloxane containing nitrile functional groups: synthesis and characterization

Synthesis of the statistical epoxidized polycyanopropylmethylsiloxane-co-polydimethylsiloxanes (PCPMS-co-PDMS) has been demonstrated. The modified polysiloxanes were prepared via a two-step method; (1) the ring-opening polymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄) and tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄H), (2) hydrosilylation reaction of the polysiloxane prepolymers with allyl cyanide and allyl glycidyl ether. Molar ratios of D₄H and D₄ were varied to produce the modified polysiloxanes with differences in polarity. ¹H-NMR, ²⁹Si-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and FTIR were used to monitor the formation of the modified polysiloxanes and DSC was used to study their thermal behaviors (T_g, −118 to −68 °C). The use of the modified polysiloxanes as an elastomeric component in epoxy-novolac networks was also investigated. TEM and their transition temperatures suggested that the epoxy-novolac networks with high content of PDMS modifiers exhibited microphase separation. The fracture toughness properties of the networks with the polysiloxane modifiers were improved over the controls without polysiloxanes.     

Cationic polymerizations of 2‐alkyloxazolines catalyzed by bismuth salts

Acidic bismuth salts, such as BiCl₃, BiBr₃, BiJ₃, and Bi‐triflate catalyzed the ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐methoxazoline (MOZ) in bulk at 100 °C, whereas less acidic salts such as Bi₂O₃ or Bi(III)acetate did not. Bi‐triflate‐catalyzed polymerizations of 2‐ethyloxazoline (EtOZ) were performed with variation of the monomer–catalyst ratio (M/C). It was found that the molecular weights were independent of the M/C ratio. The formation of cationic chain ends and the absence of cycles was proven by reactions of virgin polymerization products with N,N‐dimethyl‐4‐aminopyridine or triphenylphosphine. The resulting polymers having modified cationic chain ends were characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. The polymerization mechanism including chain‐transfer reactions is discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 4777–4784, 2008     

Quantification of ATRP initiator density on polymer latex particles by fluorescence labeling technique using copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition

We developed a novel fluorescence labeling technique for quantification of surface densities of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiators on polymer particles. The cationic P(St‐CPEM‐C₄DMAEMA) and anionic P(St‐CPEM) polymer latex particles carrying ATRP‐initiating chlorine groups were prepared by emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization of styrene (St), 2‐(2‐chloropropionyloxy)ethyl methacrylate (CPEM), and N‐n‐butyl‐N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐(2‐methacryloyloxy)ethylammonium bromide (C₄DMAEMA). ATRP initiators on the surface of polymer particles were converted into azide groups by sodium azide, followed by fluorescent labeling with 5‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)‐N′‐(prop‐2‐yn‐1‐yl)naphthalene‐1‐sulfonamide (Dansyl‐alkyne) by copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The reaction time required for both azidation of ATRP‐initiating groups and successive fluorescence labeling of azide groups with Dansyl‐alkyne by CuAAC were investigated in detail by FTIR and fluorescence spectral measurement, respectively. The ATRP initiator densities on the cationic P(St‐CPEM‐C₄DMAEMA) and anionic P(St‐CPEM) particle surfaces were estimated to be 0.21 and 0.15 molecules nm^?2, respectively, which gave close agreement with values previously determined by a conductometric titration method. The fluorescence labeling through click chemistry proposed herein is a versatile technique to quantify the surface ATRP initiator density both on anionic and cationic polymer particles. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4042–4051     

Self‐assembled polyurea macromer nanodispersion and resulting hybrid polyurea‐acrylic emulsions and films

A polyurea macromer (PUM) was synthesized and dispersed in basic conditions to form self‐assembled nanoparticles (<20 nm dispersions, up to 30 wt % aq. soln.). These nanoparticles enabled surfactant‐free emulsion polymerization to form hybrid polyurea‐acrylic particles despite the absence of a measureable water‐soluble fraction. The T_g of the starting PUM material was a strong function of the PUM's extent of neutralization and hydration (varying between 100 °C and >175 °C) due to changes in hydrogen and ionic bonding. Two separate hybrid polyurea‐acrylic emulsion systems were prepared: one by direct polymerization of (meth)acrylic monomers in the presence of the nanodispersion and a second by a physical blend of PUM nanodispersion with an acrylic latex control. The direct polymerization method resulted in a hybrid emulsion particle size that developed by a mechanism resembling conventional emulsion polymerization and was unlike that described for seeded polyurethane dispersion systems. Film hardness was shown to increase with increasing coating thickness for the hybrid film prepared by direct polymerization. The resulting mechanical properties could be explained by applying mechanical models for a composite foam structure. These results were unprecedented for normal elastomer films. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1373–1388     

Living cationic polymerization of amide‐functional vinyl ethers: Specific properties of SnCl4‐based initiating system

Living cationic copolymerization of amide‐functional vinyl ethers with isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) was achieved using SnCl₄ in the presence of ethyl acetate at 0 °C: the number–average molecular weight of the obtained polymers increased in direct proportion to the monomer conversion with relatively low polydispersity, and the amide‐functional monomer units were introduced almost quantitatively. To optimize the reaction conditions, cationic polymerization of IBVE in the presence of amide compounds, as a model reaction, was also examined using various Lewis acids in dichloromethane. The combination of SnCl₄ and ethyl acetate induced living cationic polymerization of IBVE at 0 °C when an amide compound, whose nitrogen is adjacent to a phenyl group, was used. The versatile performance of SnCl₄ especially for achieving living cationic polymerization of various polar functional monomers was demonstrated in this study as well as in our previous studies. Thus, the specific properties of the SnCl₄ initiating system are discussed by comparing with the Et_xAlCl_3?x systems from viewpoints of hard and soft acids and bases principle and computational chemistry. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6129–6141, 2008     

Polymer-Supported Lewis Acid Catalysts. II. Cationic Polymerization of α-Methylstyrene with Polystyrene-Gallium Trichloride Complex as Initiator

The polymerization of α-methylstyrene catalyzed by a polymer-supported Lewis acid catalyst, polystyrene-gallium trichloride complex, is described. The kinetic equation of the cationic polymerization is R_p = k˙C_ms˙C_cat , and the apparent activation energy is 20.9 kJ/mol. The effect of different solvents on the polymerization rate is quite pronounced; for example, the polymerization rate decreased in the following order in the three solvents: CH₂ ClCH₂ Cl < CH₂ Cl₂ < CCl₄. High molecular weight poly(α-methylstyrene) (T_g = 185°C) could be obtained at room temperature. The mechanism of the polymerization is also discussed.     

Two‐dimensional correlation gel permeation chromatography study of aggregate–aggregate interactions during acid‐catalyzed polymerization of triethoxysilyl‐terminated polystyrene

The three‐step polymerization of a well‐defined polymeric silane coupling agent, triethoxysilyl‐terminated polystyrene, catalyzed by acid (H₃PO₄), was traced as a function of the reaction time with gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Time‐resolved GPC traces collected during the polymerization process were then used to construct two‐dimensional (2D) correlation maps via generalized 2D correlation analysis. The results demonstrated that the synchronous and asynchronous 2D correlation GPC spectra directly reflected the dynamic variation of aggregate–aggregate interactions during each step of the polymerization. In particular, it was found that the formation of aggregates among the cyclic trimers (or tetramers) and monomers was critical for the preferential production of pentamers in the reaction system. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3447–3460, 2004     

Polysiloxanes with chlorobenzyl groups as precursors of new organic‐silicone materials

Various polysiloxanes bearing chlorobenzyl side groups were synthesized by the hydrolytic polycondensation of the 73:27 mol/mol mixture of [2‐(4‐chloromethylphenyl)ethyl] methyldichlorosilane and [1‐(4‐chloromethylphenyl)ethyl] methyldichlorosilane followed by the cationic equilibration or coequilibration with octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, D₄. 1,3‐Divinyltetramethyl‐disiloxane was used as the chain end blocker to obtain a vinyl–Si ended chlorobenzyl‐substituted polysiloxane. In some cases, the polymer was additionally treated with dimethylvinylchlorosilane to achieve full substitution of chain ends by the vinyl group. Cohydrolysis of the chlorobenzylic monomer mixture with dimethyldichlorosilane was also practiced. Multiblock copolymers were obtained by polyhydrosilylation of the α,ω‐divinylsilyl chlorobenzyl‐substituted polysiloxanes with α,ω‐dihydrosilyl polydimethylsiloxanes. All these polymers and copolymers containing reactive chlorobenzylic groups were demonstrated to be convenient precursors of functional polysiloxanes of potential practical use. Some specific functional groups, such as quaternary ammonium salt groups of biocidal activity or azobenzene groups making the polymer sensitive to external stimuli by light, may be readily generated on polysiloxane under mild conditions. The chlorobenzylic substituted polysiloxanes may be also used as macroinitiators of the atom transfer radical polymerization, to obtain polysiloxanes with grafted organic polymers, such as styrene, 4‐chloromethylstyrene, and n‐butylacrylate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1682–1692, 2004     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by Mn(III)–glycerol redox system

The kinetics of thermal polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by the redox system Mn(III)–glycerol was studied in aqueous sulfuric acid in the temperature range of 30–40°C, and the rates of polymerization, R_p, and Mn³⁺ disappearance, etc., were measured. The effect of certain water-miscible organic solvents and certain cationic and anionic surfactants on the rates of polymerization has been investigated. A mechanism involving the formation of a complex between Mn³⁺ and glycerol whose decomposition yields the initiating free radical with the polymerization being terminated by the metal ion has been suggested.