Hairy particles prepared by living radical graft-polymerization

Novel particles having designed hairs were prepared by living radical graft-polymerization on core particles. The living radical species used in this study was a kind of photo-iniferter, N, N-diethyl-thiocarbamate. Main component of hair was poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) which was a representative thermo-sensitive polymer. The polymerization was carried out by UV irradiation at room temperature that was lower than the transition temperature of PNIPAM. Incorporation of a small amount of acrylic acid into the hair caused significant change in the properties of hairy particles. The mode of comonomer charge also enabled to design the hair structure on the particles.     

Silica-PMMA hairy nanoparticles prepared via phase transfer-assisted aqueous miniemulsion atom transfer radical polymerization

Hairy nanoparticles (HNPs) constitute a class of hybrid nanocomposites that are resistant to aggregation and agglomeration, although the green, large-scale synthesis of HNPs remains a challenge. In this work, 25 nm-diameter silica-core HNPs with a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) shell were synthesized using a graft-from approach in aqueous miniemulsion, employing atom transfer radical polymerization with activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET-ATRP). In particular, this work used tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB)-assisted phase transfer of monomer, markedly improving upon earlier methods by showing that phase transfer could take place in the absence of organic solvents. Furthermore, syntheses with selected monomer addition rates produced HNP graft densities ranging from 0.011 to 0.017 chains/nm² and shell thicknesses ranging from 2.5 to 11 nm. Finally, analysis of reaction kinetics revealed that shell growth reached completion in as little as 2 hr, confirmed by the synthesis of >1 g of PMMA-shell HNPs in a reduced timeframe.     

Synthesis of functional polyethylene graft copolymers by nitroxide‐mediated living radical polymerization

This paper describes a new method to prepare graft copolymers, such as polyethylene‐g‐polystyrene (PE‐g‐PS), with a relatively well‐controlled reaction mechanism. The chemistry involves a transformation process from the metallocene copolymerization of ethylene and m,p‐methylstyrene (m,p‐MS) to nitroxide‐mediated “living” free radical polymerization (LRFP) of styrene. The metallocene catalysis produces ethylene‐co‐m,p‐methylstyrene (EMS) random copolymers. Next, 1‐hydroxyl‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine (HO‐TEMPO) was synthesized by the reduction of TEMPO with sodium ascorbate. The macroinitiator (EMS‐TEMPO) was synthesized with the bromination reaction of EMS, and the following nucleofilic reaction with this functional nitroxyl compound. The resulting macroinitiator (EMS‐TEMPO) for LRFP was then heated in the presence of styrene to form graft copolymer. DSC, ¹H‐NMR, FTIR spectroscopy were employed to investigate the structure of the polymers. The results of Molau test showed that PE‐g‐PS could be a potential good compatilizer. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Environmentally responsive "hairy" nanoparticles: mixed homopolymer brushes on silica nanoparticles synthesized by living radical polymerization techniques

This article reports on the preparation of environmentally responsive "hairy" nanoparticles by growth of mixed poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA)/polystyrene (PS) brushes from silica particles using living radical polymerization techniques and subsequent hydrolysis of PtBA to produce amphiphilic mixed poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)/PS brushes. Silica particles were synthesized by the Stober process and were functionalized with an asymmetric difunctional initiator-terminated monolayer. Surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of tBA was carried out in the presence of a free initiator. Kinetics study showed that the polymerization was well controlled. By cleaving PtBA off the particles, the molecular weights of the grafted and free polymers were found to be essentially identical. Mixed PtBA/PS brushes were obtained by the nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization of styrene from PtBA particles. The M(n) of the grafted PS was found to be the same as that of the free PS formed in the solution from the free initiator. Amphiphilic mixed PAA/PS brush-coated nanoparticles were synthesized from mixed PtBA/PS particles by hydrolysis of PtBA with iodotrimethylsilane. Tyndall scattering experiments and (1)H NMR study showed that the mixed PAA/PS particles can be dispersed and form a stable suspension in CHCl(3), a selective solvent for PS, and also in CH(3)OH, a selective solvent for PAA, demonstrating the capability of these hairy nanoparticles to undergo chain reorganization in response to environmental changes.     

Thermosensitive hairy hybrid nanoparticles synthesized by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

This article reports on the synthesis of thermosensitive polymer brushes on silica nanoparticles by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and the study of thermo-induced phase transitions in water. Silica nanoparticles were prepared by the St?ber process and the surface was functionalized by an ATRP initiator. Surface-initiated ATRPs of methoxydi(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (DEGMMA) and methoxytri(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (TEGMMA) were carried out in THF at 40 degrees C in the presence of a free initiator, benzyl 2-bromoisobutyrate. The polymerizations were monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The hairy hybrid nanoparticles were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy, and the thermoresponsive properties were investigated by variable temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The cloud points of free poly(DEGMMA) and poly(TEGMMA) in water were around 25 and 48 degrees C, respectively. The thermo-induced phase transitions of polymer brushes on silica nanoparticles began at a lower temperature and continued over a broader range (4-10 degrees C) than those of free polymers in water (< 2 degrees C).     

Effect of graft polymer prepared by living radical polymerisation on electro-optical properties of polymer dispersed liquid crystal

In this study, a graft polymer matrix prepared by living radical polymerisation had been incorporated into polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs). The electro-optical properties of the PDLCs were investigated. The results showed that the length and density of graft chain had a great influence on the memory effect of the PDLCs. Low-driving-voltage and weak-memory-effect PDLCs could easily be obtained with a graft polymer matrix.     

Highly branched polyethylene graft copolymers prepared by means of migratory insertion polymerization combined with TEMPO‐mediated controlled radical polymerization

New families of highly branched polyethylenes containing alkyl short chain branches as well as polar and non‐polar long‐chain branches were prepared by combining migratory insertion copolymerization with controlled radical graft copolymerization. Key intermediate was a novel alkoxyamine‐functionalized 1‐alkene which was copolymerized with ethylene using a palladium catalyst. The resulting highly branched polyethylene with alkoxyamine‐functionalized short chain branches was used as macroinitiator to initiate controlled radical graft copolymerization of styrene and styrene/acrylonitrile. Novel polyethylene graft copolymers with molecular masses of M_w >100 000 g/mol and narrow polydispersities were obtained. Transmission electron microscopic studies (TEM) and the presence of two glass transition temperatures at –67 and +100°C indicated microphase separation.     

Dehalogenation of polymers prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization

Polymers prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) have well‐defined end groups, predetermined by the initiator used. A typical initiator is an alkyl halide from which the halogen is transferred to one chain end. To remove the halogen end group, dehalogenation with trialkyltin hydride has been used. Procedures for the removal of the polymer halogen end groups are described, one of them being a one‐pot reaction where the dehalogenation of the polymer chain ends occurs immediately after polymerization.     

Kinetic model of living radical polymerization

This work studies the kinetics of living radical polymerization by means of both the nonsteady state approach and the quasi-stationary state method. Expressions for the numberand weight-average degress of polymerization and the polydispersity index were derived. Numerical results show that the concentration of residual initiator seriously influences the polydispersity index of the resulting polymer. The calculated outcomes of the non-steady state approach are evidently different from those of the quasi-stationary state method when the magnitude of the rate constant of termination is comparable with that of the propagation rate constant, and the difference becomes negligible if the rate constant of the termination (k_t) is much larger than that of propagation (k_p). The polydispersity index of the resulting polymer increases with decreasing ratios of k_t to k_p or M_O to I_O (initial concentrations of monomer and initiator).     

Iniferter concept and living radical polymerization

Iniferters are initiators that induce radical polymerization that proceeds via initiation, propagation, primary radical termination, and transfer to initiator. Because bimolecular termination and other transfer reactions are negligible, these polymerizations are performed by the insertion of the monomer molecules into the iniferter bond, leading to polymers with two iniferter fragments at the chain ends. The use of well‐designed iniferters would give polymers or oligomers bearing controlled end groups. If the end groups of the polymers obtained by a suitable iniferter serve further as a polymeric iniferter, these polymerizations proceed by a living radical polymerization mechanism in a homogeneous system. In these cases, the iniferters (C S bond) are considered a dormant species of the initiating and propagating radicals. In this article, I describe the history, ideas, and some characteristics of iniferters and living radical polymerization with some iniferters that contain dithiocarbamate groups as photoiniferters and several compounds as thermal iniferters. From the viewpoint of controlled polymer synthesis, iniferters can be classified into several types: thermal or photoiniferters; monomeric, polymeric, or gel iniferters; monofunctional, difunctional, trifunctional, or polyfunctional iniferters; monomer or macromonomer iniferters; and so forth. These lead to the synthesis of various monofunctional, telechelic, block, graft, star, and crosslinked polymers. The relations between this work and other recent studies are discussed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2121–2136, 2000     

Hydrobromination of residual vinyl groups on divinylbenzene polymer particles followed by atom transfer radical surface graft polymerization

Rigid and monodisperse spherical polymer particles with 2.36 ± 0.18 μm diameter containing residual surface vinyl groups were prepared by photoinitiated precipitation polymerization of divinylbenzene. Anti‐Markovnikov addition of HBr to the surface vinyl groups yielded a 2‐bromoethyl functionality that was used as macroinitiator for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), providing the possibility for further functionalization by controlled “grafting from” processes. This was demonstrated by grafting of glycidyl methacrylate brushes from the particle surface, using an ATRP system based on CuBr and pentamethyl diethylenetriamine. Existence of a methacrylic overlayer was verified by FTIR and XPS measurements, and the grafted particles were easily dispersed in water, confirming conversion of the particle surface from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. Hydrobromination of residual vinyl groups yields a macroinitiator that can be used for grafting of glycidyl methacrylate by ATRP. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1259–1265, 2009     

Synthesis of block and graft copolymers of β-pinene and styrene by transformation of living cationic polymerization to atom transfer radical polymerization

The transformations of living cationic polymerization to ATRP to form the block and graft copolymers of β-pinene with styrene were performed. Poly(β-pinene) carrying benzyl chloride terminal [poly(β-p)StCl] was prepared by capping the living poly(β-pinene), which was obtained with 1-phenylethyl chloride/TiCl₄/Ti(OiPr)₄/nBu₄NCl initiating system, with a few units of styrene. Poly(β-p)StCl, in conjunction with CuCl and bpy, could initiate the ATRP of styrene and gave well-defined block copolymer of β-pinene and styrene. In contrast, tert-alkyl-chlorine-capped poly(β-pinene) [poly(β-p)Cl] obtained by living cationic polymerization of β-pinene per se without capping of styrene gave a mixture of desired block copolymers and unreacted poly(β-p)Cl due to the low initiating reactivity of poly(β-p)Cl. Brominated poly(β-pinene) synthesized by the quantitative bromination of poly(β-pinene) using NBS was also used to initiate the ATRP of styrene in the presence of CuBr and bpy to prepare the graft copolymer of β-pinene and styrene. The first-order kinetic characteristic and linear increment of molecule weight with the increasing of monomer conversion indicated the living nature of this ATRP grafting.     

New antibacterial cationic surfactants prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization

Efficient antibacterial surfactants have been prepared by the quaternization of the amino groups of poly(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate] (PEB‐b‐PDMAEMA) diblock copolymers by octyl bromide. The diblock copolymers have been synthesized by ATRP of 2‐(dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate (DMAEMA) initiated by an activated bromide‐end‐capped poly(ethylene‐co‐butylene). In the presence of CuBr, 1,4,7,10,10‐hexamethyl‐triethylenetetramine (HMTETA), and toluene at 50 °C, the initiation is slow in comparison with propagation. This situation has been improved by the substitution of CuCl for CuBr, all the other conditions being the same. Finally, the addition of an excess of CuCl₂ (deactivator) to the CuCl/HMTETA catalyst is very beneficial in making the agreement between the theoretical and experimental number‐average molecular weights excellent. The antibacterial activity of PEB‐b‐PDMAEMA quaternized by octyl bromide has been assessed against bacteria and is comparable to the activity of a commonly used disinfectant, that is, benzalkonium chloride. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1214‐1224, 2006     

Synthesis of a well-defined polybromostyrene by living radical polymerization with a nitroxyl radical

Radical polymerization of p-bromostyrene was investigated with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator in the presence of 4-methoxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (MTEMPO). The polymerization was performed in bulk for 3.5 h at 95°C and then continued for another 48 h at 125°C to afford the corresponding polybromostyrene with a narrow molecular weight distribution in high yield. ¹H NMR study revealed that the polymer obtained had BPO and MTEMPO moieties at its head and tail, respectively. It was confirmed that the polymerization proceeded in accordance with living mechanism, because the molecular weight linearly increased with an increase of the conversion, and it was directly proportional to the reciprocal of the initial concentration of BPO. Furthermore, the polystyrene obtained in the present study could quantitatively act as the initiator for the polymerization of p-bromostyrene in the living radical manner to afford the corresponding block copolymer, and vice versa. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Control of a living radical polymerization of methacrylates by light

On-off: A living radical polymerization procedure, which utilizes ppm levels of an iridium-based photoredox catalyst, affords control over chain growth through mediation by visible light (see scheme; P(n) =polymer chain, X=halogen, M=monomer). This process can be activated and deactivated by light, enables control over the molecular weight and molecular weight distributions, and tolerates different functional groups.     

Nitroxide mediated living radical polymerization in miniemulsion

The introduction of the aqueous phase into a living radical polymerization increases the complexity of the kinetics by creating the possibility of species partitioning between the aqueous and organic phases, and introducing aqueous phase reactions which could play a significant role particularly in chain initiation and/or particle nucleation. We have conducted a series of styrene miniemulsion polymerizations in which the solubility of initiator and nitroxide have been systematically varied. Experiments were run using either water-soluble (potassium persulphate) or oil-soluble (benzoyl peroxide) initiator, and either TEMPO or 4-hydroxy-TEMPO. These two nitroxides vary considerably in their water solubility. The effects of initiator and nitroxide solubility in water on conversion-time behaviour, molecular weight and initiator efficiency are presented.