Facile Method to Synthesis of Golf Ball-Like Particles via Early-Ceased Seeded Dispersion Polymerization

Golf ball-like poly(methyl methacrylate) particles were produced via seeded dispersion polymerization of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate with poly(methyl methacrylate) seed beads in the presence of saturated hydrocarbon droplets and evaporation of the hydrocarbon after the polymerization. It was observed that the particles are acquired in the form of a stable dispersion if the reaction is ceased around 42% of monomer conversion. Moreover, the effect of different reaction conditions (e.g. hydrocarbon and stabilizer type, initiator and monomer content, and polarity of the medium) on the shape and stability of the produced particles was investigated. It was revealed that the number and size of the dents on the surface of the golf ball-like particles could be manipulated easily with a simple change in each one of the parameters referred to above. In addition, the experimental results showed that some of the particles become unstable and diffuse into each other during polymerization, resulting in the formation of huge golf ball-like objects. The production of disk-like poly(methyl methacrylate) particles via fully developed seeded dispersion polymerization in the presence of a hydrocarbon which owns lengthy alkyl chain was another interesting finding of this study.     

PMMA-containing ITX Residues and its Initiation for Synthesizing PMMA-b-PSt Copolymer

In virtue of the reversible coupling and cleaving mechanism involved isopropylthioxanthone (ITX), a precursor of poly(methyl methacrylate) ended with ITX residues (PMMA-ITXH) was firstly synthesized through the photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by a binary system of ITX and ethyl-p-dimethyl amino benzoate (EDAB), and secondly, applying this precursor as a macroinitiator, block copolymer of poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene (PMMA-b-PSt) was produced through a thermal activated radical polymerization of styrene (St) at a temperature above 80°C. The content of incorporation of the reduced ITX groups in the precursor was estimated by UV-vis spectrum analysis and the results indicated that it was greatly influenced by the ITX concentration in system. The presence of EDAB could promote the polymerization and result in high monomer conversions and low molecular weight of polymers with wide distributions, but had no evident effect on the incorporation of reduced ITX moieties in polymer. Furthermore, more monomer supplied in system was advantageous for the production of high molecular weight of polymers and provided apparently low content of reduced ITX residues in polymer. Using a selected precursor of PMMA-ITXH with a moderate level of reduced ITX residues, molecular weight and its distribution, the bulk polymerization of St was initiated. FTIR spectrum analysis and GPC measurement confirmed the formation of block copolymer of PMMA-b-PSt.     

Two-Dimensional Chromatographic Analysis of Polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) Copolymers Synthesized by Selective Oxidation of Polystrene-9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane

Summary: The preparation of polystyrene block methyl methacrylate copolymers (PS-b-PMMA) is described. The polystyrene segment was prepared by anionic polymerization and the methylmethacrylate segment was prepared via free radical autoxidation of a borane agent attached to the styrene chain. 1 The chemistry involves a transformation of the anionic polymerization process to borane chemistry by firstly producing polystyrene with chain end unsaturated alkyl functional groups prepared using a n-butyllithium initiator and termination with allylchlorodimethylsilane. Secondly, the unsaturated macroinitiator end was hydroborated by 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN) to produce a borane terminated PS. Thirdly, the borane group at the chain end was selectively oxidized and converted to polymeric radicals in the presence of methyl methacrylate which then initiated radical polymerization to produce block copolymers. The polymer obtained was characterized using several chromatographic techniques including LC-CC (liquid chromatography under critical conditions) for the polystyrene segments and two-dimensional chromatography with LC-CC in the first dimension and SEC in the second. The results show that block formation was successful although significant homopolymerization of methyl methacrylate is also obtained.     

Living Ab Initio Emulsion Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate in Water Using a Water‐Soluble Organotellurium Chain Transfer Agent under Thermal and Photochemical Conditions

Ab initio emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using a water‐soluble organotellurium chain transfer agent in the presence of the surfactant Brij 98 in water is reported. Polymerization proceeded under both thermal and visible light‐irradiation conditions, giving poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with controlled molecular weight and low dispersity (?<1.5). Despite the formation of an opaque latex, the photoactivation of the organotellurium dormant species took place efficiently, as demonstrated by the quantitative monomer conversion and temporal control. Control of polymer particle size (PDI<0.030) was also achieved using a semi‐batch monomer addition process. The PMMA polymer in the particles retained high end‐group fidelity and was successfully used for the synthesis of block copolymers.     

Modeling of elementary reactions and kinetics of radical‐initiated methyl methacrylate polymerization in the presence of ferrocene

On the basis of quantum chemical modeling, a kinetic scheme of methyl methacrylate polymerization initiated by benzoyl peroxide in the presence of ferrocene was proposed. The process runs by mechanism, which includes the reactions of free radical polymerization, and the reactions leading to formation and operability of two type coordination active sites that are capable of converting into each other. On the basis of the proposed scheme, a kinetic model was developed. This model quantitatively described the following: the experimentally determined time dependences of the methyl methacrylate conversion, the conversion dependencies of the number‐average and weight‐average molar masses of poly(methyl methacrylate), the stereoregularity values of poly(methyl methacrylate), and the time dependencies of the methyl methacrylate conversion upon its polymerization on poly(methyl methacrylate) macroinitiators obtained in radical‐initiated polymerization in the presence of ferrocene. As a result of solving the inverse kinetic problem, the parameters of temperature dependences of the reaction rate coefficients of the proposed kinetic scheme were found.     

β-CD存在下MMA细乳液体系的RAFT聚合

近年来，活性自由基聚合已成为高分子合成领域中的一个热门课题．Rizzardo研究小组提出了一种新型活性自由基聚合反应，即RAFT(Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer)聚合．RAFT反应在传统的自由基聚合中加入了具有高链转移常数和特定结构的链转移剂——双硫酯类化合物．当链转移剂的浓度足够大时，链转移反应由不可逆变为可逆，聚合反应也随之发生质的变化，由不可控     

The Relationship of Reaction Temperature,Tg and Rich‐Syndiotacticity of Poly(alkyl methacrylate)s in Modified Microemulsion Polymerization

Nanoscale poly(alkyl methacrylate)s including poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate), poly(iso‐butyl methacrylate) and poly(benzyl methacrylate) were prepared by a modified microemulsion polymerization procedure. NMR analysis suggested that these poly(methacrylate)s samples were higher in syndiotactic content, lower in isotactic content and the glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of them were also higher than those reported in the literature. The tacticities of the poly(methacrylate)s, beside the restricted volume effect of nanoparticles during the modified microemulsion polymerization, were mainly influenced by the reaction temperature, the lower the reaction temperature, the higher the syndiotacticity of the products. The syndiotacticity of the product decreased obviously when the polymerization was carried out at a temperature far above the T_g of the resulting polymer. It was also shown that the tacticity of the polymer was affected by the monomer structure, a monomer with the bulkier alkyl side group would liable to result in a polymer with richer syndiotacticity. Possible mechanism of rich‐syndiotacticity was also discussed.     

Polymer-Titanium hybrids obtained by radical polymerization and Sol-Gel process

The possibility to prepare hybrids made by poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and/or poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEtA) with TiO₂ was studied. The processes of polymer formation-radical polymerization and sol-gel process for inorganic network —were achieved simultaneously. Due to a high reactivity of titanium isopropoxide (TIP) in the sol-gel process, a complexant comonomer, allyl acetoacetate (AlAcAc), was used. Covalent bonds between polymer and inorganic chains were obtained by addition of trialkoxysilane derivates with vinyl (VTES) or methacryloyl (MPTS) groups. The presence of TIP inhibits the radical polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc). The PVAc-TiO₂ hybrids were produced by the sol-gel process of TIP in the presence of pre-obtained PVAc. Except for VTES and MPTS, trialkoxysilane derivates with methyl (MeTES), octyl (OTES) and phenyl (PTES) groups were used. The thermal stability of hybrids is strongly affected by TiO₂ presence and by the type of trialkoxysilane derivates. The thermal stability of PVAc hybrids decreases in the presence of TiO₂ inorganic network. The glass transition temperature of polymers increases in the presence of the inorganic network.     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate with ceric ion-methanol redox system

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by Ce⁴⁺ methanol redox system was studied in aqueous solution of nitric acid at 15°C. The polymerization was initiated by primary radicals formed from Ce⁴⁺/alcohol complex. Poly(methyl methacrylate) chains containing the alcohol residue were obtained. Variations in the temperatuare and concentration of the components of the redox system allowed the control of the rate of polymerization and molecular weight of the polymer. The concentration of the hydroxyl end groups in the poly(methyl methacrylate) of low molecular weight was determined by titration and by spectrometric method.     

Photooxidative and pyrolytic degradation of methyl methacrylate-alkyl acrylate copolymers

Different compositions of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methyl acrylate) (PMMAMA), poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethyl acrylate) (PMMAEA) and poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl acrylate) (PMMABA) copolymers were synthesized and characterized. The photocatalytic oxidative degradation of all these copolymers were studied in presence of two different catalysts namely Degussa P-25 and combustion synthesized titania using azobis-iso-butyronitrile and benzoyl peroxide as oxidizers. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was used to determine the molecular weight distribution of the samples as a function of time. The GPC chromatogram indicated that the photocatalytic oxidative degradation of all these copolymers proceeds by both random and chain end scission. Continuous distribution kinetics was used to develop a model for photocatalytic oxidative degradation considering both random and specific end scission. The degradation rate coefficients were determined by fitting the experimental data with the model. The degradation rate coefficients of the copolymers decreased with increase in the percentage of alkyl acrylate in the copolymer. This indicates that the photocatalytic oxidative stability of the copolymers increased with increasing percentage of alkyl acrylate. From the degradation rate coefficients, it was observed that the photocatalytic oxidative stability follows the order PMMABA > PMMAEA > PMMAMA. The thermal degradation of the copolymers was studied by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The normalized weight loss and differential fractional weight loss profiles indicated that the thermal stability of the copolymer increases with an increase in the percentage of alkyl acrylate and the thermal stability of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-alkyl acrylate)s follows the order PMMAMA > PMMAEA > PMMABA. The observed contrast in the order of photostability and thermal stability of the copolymers was attributed to different mechanisms involved for the scission of polymer chain and formation of different products in both the processes.     

Effect of amines on the controlled synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) catalyzed by ruthenacarboranes

The effects of amines on the activity of ruthenium catalysts in the controlled synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) are reported at 80°C. The introduction of tert-butylamine or triethylamine into the polymerization system raises the polymerization rate by 1–2 orders of magnitude without reducing the high degree of control over the chain propagation step. The “living” character of methyl methacrylate polymerization in the presence of ruthenacarboranes and amines is proved by the fact that, as the monomer conversion increases, the molecular weight of the resulting polymer increases linearly and the polydispersity index decreases. The polymer can serve as a macroinitiator for postpolymerization and block copolymer synthesis.     

不饱和端基超支化聚合物/丙烯酸酯共聚乳液的研究

利用Si—H加成反应制得了以CC为端基的超支化含硅聚合物,并将其与丙烯酸酯类单体进行乳液共聚,对聚合反应机理及所得聚合物的性能进行了测试分析.结果表明,含有大量CC端基的超支化含硅聚合物能与丙烯酸酯类单体稳定聚合,制得了平均粒径小于100nm高度交联的乳胶粒子.共聚物的红外光谱证实,超支化聚合物的不饱和端基已全部反应,形成了以超支化聚合物为多臂交联点的交联型乳胶粒子.随聚合体系中超支化聚合物用量的增加,乳液聚合反应速率增大,乳胶粒粒径减小,共聚物热稳定性显著提高.     

Synthesis of crown ether-terminated poly(methyl methacrylate) by radical chain transfer polymerization

Mercapto-16-crown-5 was prepared starting from tetraethyleneglycol and 3-chloro-2-chloromethyl-1-propene. Radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out in the presence of mercapto-16-crown-5 as a chain transfer agent to give crown ether-terminated poly(methyl methacrylate). The end crown group was characterized by IR and ¹H-NMR spectra. Sodium cation was selectively extracted by this crown-containing polymer. The molecular weight of the obtained polymer had influence upon the ability of extraction of sodium cation.     

Fabrication of block copolymer brushes on hollow sphere surface via reverse iodine transfer polymerization

The block copolymer brushes grafted from hollow sphere surface via reverse iodine transfer polymerization (RITP) were investigated in this work. A sufficient amount of azo initiator was introduced onto hollow sphere surface firstly. Then the monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA) was polymerized via surface-initiated reverse iodine transfer polymerization (RITP) using azo group modified hollow sphere as initiator. The microstructure of the samples was characterized by FT-IR, (1)H NMR, respectively. Results indicated that the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with end functionality of alkyl iodine group had grafted from hollow sphere surface. TEM observations showed that the average diameter of hollow core was central at 1.3-1.4 μm and the average wall thickness increased from 103 nm to 138 nm and 172 nm after grafting polymerization of MMA and Tb complex, respectively. The closely linear plots of molecular weight (M(n)) versus conversion, linear kinetic plots for the free polymer formed in solution and the ability to extend the chains by sequential addition of monomer indicated that the RITP was a controlled process with a "living" characteristic.     

Effect of tetraalkylammonium salts on the tacticity of poly(methyl methacrylate), 2.. Initiation by potassium tert-butoxide

The anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide (t-BuOK)/quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) in toluene and tetrahydrofuran at −60°C. It was found that in toluene some QAS additives substantially increase the syndiotacticity of poly(methyl methacrylate). Two types of QAS were distinguished, quite different in their action. The addition of QAS with one or two longchain alkyl groups (>C₁₂), does not change significantly the mode of the monomer addition, whereas the polymerization in the presence of tetraalkylammonium salts with four equal substituents and dimethyldidodecylammonium bromide yields predominantly a syndiotactic polymer with high conversion and comparatively low polydispersity (M̄_w/M̄_w = 1.3−1.5). In some cases QAS additives are more effective modifiers than cryptand [2.2.2].     

Rare Earth Metal-Initiated Polymerizations of Polar and Nonpolar Monomers

Abstract

Organolanthanide(III) initiated polymerization of methyl methacryate gave both syndiotactic and isotactic living polymers of high molecular weight. Organolanthanide(III) initiated polymerization of alkyl acrylates also gave high molecular weight poly(alkyl acrylate)s with very narrow molecular weight distribuion in high yield. Molecular weights of the resulting polymers increased linearly with the conversion. Random and block copolymerizations of alkyl acrylates with methyl methacrylate were realized successfully. For the sake of development of the olefin polymerization catalyst, bulky substituents were introduced into Me₂Si bridged Cp rings and they were used as ligands for the lanthanide complexes. Tri- and divalent lanthanide complexes with such ligands showed high activity for olefin polymerization and gave high molecular weight polyolefins.     

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.     

A Study on End Group Characterization of Poly(phenacyl methacrylate) Polymer Produced by Free Radical Polymerization

Free‐radical homopolymerization and copolymerization of phenacyl methacrylate (PAMA) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) was done using 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as the initiator in 1,4‐dioxane at 60°C. ¹H‐NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopy confirmed the existence of OCH₂ and CH signals and unsaturated structure and CN stretch at the chain end of low molecular weight poly(phenacyl methacrylate) [poly(PAMA)], respectively. The six‐membered ring with both ester and ether at the end group was detected by ¹H‐NMR. In the poly(PAMA), the end groups formed due to chain transfer reactions were found in large concentrations. The mechanism of the formation of end groups has been presented. The behavior of free radical polymerization of PAMA was compared with that of phenoxycarbonylmethyl methacrylate (PCMMA). The molecular weight distribution of the homo and copolymers was determined using gel permeation chromatography. Thermal properties of the polymers were determined using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).     

A Study on End Group Characterization of Poly(phenacyl methacrylate) Polymer Produced by Free Radical Polymerization

Free‐radical homopolymerization and copolymerization of phenacyl methacrylate (PAMA) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) was done using 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as the initiator in 1,4‐dioxane at 60°C. ¹H‐NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopy confirmed the existence of OCH₂ and CH signals and unsaturated structure and CN stretch at the chain end of low molecular weight poly(phenacyl methacrylate)[poly(PAMA)], respectively. The six‐membered ring with both ester and ether at the end group was detected by ¹H‐NMR. In the poly(PAMA), the end groups formed due to chain transfer reactions were found in large concentrations. The mechanism of the formation of end groups has been presented. The behavior of free radical polymerization of PAMA was compared with that of phenoxycarbonylmethyl methacrylate (PCMMA). The molecular weight distribution of the homo and copolymers was determined using gel permeation chromatography. Thermal properties of the polymers were determined using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).     

Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">block</Emphasis>-poly(tetrahydrofuran) by photo-living radical polymerization using a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl macromediator

The synthesis of a poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PMMA-b-PTHF) diblock copolymer was attained by the photo-living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate using 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) supported on the chain end of poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTHF) as the macromediator. The polymerization was performed at room temperature by 2,2′-azobis(4-methoxy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) as an initiator in the presence of bis(alkylphenyl)iodonium hexafluorophosphate as a photo-acid generator to produce the diblock copolymer consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and PTHF blocks connected through the TEMPO. The polymerization was confirmed to proceed in accordance with a living mechanism based on linear correlations for three different plots of the first order time-conversion, the molecular weight of the copolymer versus the monomer conversion, and the molecular weight versus the reciprocal of the initial concentration of the initiator. The molecular weight distribution of the block copolymer was dependent on the molecular weight of the macromediator based on the miscibility of PMMA and PTHF.