Bimetallic Chromium Catalysts with Chain Transfer Agents: A Route to Isotactic Poly(propylene oxide)s with Narrow Dispersities

Bimetallic chromium catalysts are investigated for the enantioselective polymerization of propylene oxide. The catalyst is composed of two salen chromium species linked by an alkyl chain, the length of which significantly impacts the rate of polymerization. While the use of a chloride initiator on the catalyst resulted in bimodal molecular weight distributions, switching to a trifluoroacetate initiating group and adding a diol chain transfer agent afforded polymers of controllable molecular weight with low, unimodal dispersities.     

Effect of molecular weight on reaction-induced phase separation of epoxy resin modified with fluorocarbon chain terminated polyetherimide

Epoxy resins are currently used for many important applications such as adhesives, encapsulates and ad-vanced composite matrixes. However, the further use of epoxies is limited because of their inherent brittle-ness. Thus, the modifications of epoxy resin…     

Modeling and Experimentation of RAFT Solution Copolymerization of Styrene and Butyl Acrylate,Effect of Chain Transfer Reactions on Polymer Molecular Weight Distribution

Chain transfer reactions widely exist in the free radical polymerization and controlled radical polymerization, which can significantly influence polymer molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. In this work, the chain transfer reactions in modeling the reversible addition–fragmentation transfer (RAFT) solution copolymerization are included and the effects of chain transfer rate constant, monomer concentration, and comonomer ratio on the polymerization kinetics and polymer molecular weight development are investigated. The model is verified with the experimental RAFT solution copolymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate, with good agreements achieved. This work has demonstrated that the chain transfer reactions to monomer and solvent can have significant impacts on the number‐average molecular weight (M_n) and dispersity (Ð).     

Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of diisopropyl fumarate using various dithiobenzoates as chain transfer agents

Dialkyl fumarates as 1,2‐disubstituted ethylenes exhibit unique features of radical polymerization kinetics due to their significant steric hindrance in propagation and termination processes and provide polymers with a rigid chain structure different from conventional vinyl polymers. In this study, we carried out reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of diisopropyl fumarate (DiPF) in bulk at 80 °C using various dithiobenzoates with different leaving R groups as chain transfer agents to reveal their performance for control of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and chain end functionality of the resulting poly(DiPF) (PDiPF). 2‐(Ethoxycarbonyl)‐2‐propyl dithiobenzoate ( DB1 ) and 2,4,4‐trimethyl‐2‐pentyl dithiobenzoate ( DB2 ) underwent fragmentation and reinitiation at a moderate rate and consequently led to the formation of PDiPF with well‐controlled chain structures. It was confirmed that molecular weight of PDiPF produced by controlled polymerization with DB1 and DB2 agreed with theoretical one and molecular weight distribution was narrow. Dithiobenzoate and R fragments were introduced into the polymer chain ends with high functionality as 95% by the use of DB1 . In contrast, polymerizations using 1‐(ethoxycarbonyl)benzyl dithiobenzoate ( DB3 ), 1‐phenylethyl dithiobenzoate ( DB4 ), and 2‐phenyl‐2‐propyl dithiobenzoate ( DB5 ) resulted in poor control of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and chain end structures of PDiPF. Fragmentation and reinitiation rates of the used benzoates as chain transfer agents significantly varied depending on the R structures in an opposite fashion; that is, introduction of bulky and conjugating substituents accelerated fragmentation, but it retarded initiation of DiPF polymerization. It was revealed that balance of fragmentation and reinitiation was important for controlled polymerization of DiPF. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3266–3275     

PEB/MMA-AN悬浮接枝共聚反应机理

研究了乙烯-1-丁烯共聚物(PEB)弹性体与甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)-丙烯腈(AN)悬浮接枝共聚反应行为及接枝共聚产物对SAN树脂增韧作用随反应时间的变化规律, 用凝胶渗透色谱法和傅里叶变换红外光谱法对接枝共聚产物进行了表征, 分析了接枝共聚反应机理, 推算了接枝链分子量. 结果表明, 体系首先发生链增长自由基向PEB转移终止形成非接枝共聚物(MAN_L)和PEB大分子自由基引发单体共聚形成接枝链(g-MAN)的反应, 接枝反应结束后体系发生明显的非接枝共聚形成非接枝共聚物(MAN_H)的反应; MAN_L的分子量低于g-MAN的分子量, 而g-MAN的分子量明显低于MAN_H的分子量; 在接枝共聚过程中发生已接枝和未接枝PEB断链并随机再接生成多嵌段共聚物的副反应; 在反应初期, 接枝链的AN单元含量接近于非接枝共聚物的AN单元含量, 在反应中后期前者远低于后者.     

烯丙基卤在五价钼体系引发丁二烯聚合反应中的链转移作用

本工作以烯丙基卤(x)为链转移剂,在非极性加氢汽油溶剂中,用MoCl_3(i-OC_5H_(11))_2—(i-Bu)_2AlO (Mo-Al)二元引发体系引发丁二烯(Bd)进行溶液聚合,探讨x对Bd聚合速度、聚合物分子量以及聚合活化能的影响,并测得了x的链转移常数。实验结果表明,烯丙基溴(Br)对聚合速度的影响甚微,烯丙基氯(Cl)和烯丙基碘(Ⅰ)却能导致聚合速度减慢;随x用量增加,分子量明显降低;在Br存在下,按Arrhenuis方程式求得的Bd聚合表现活化能为63.6千焦/摩尔,略高于不添加Br时的值。     

Monte Carlo方法研究苯乙烯/二乙烯苯凝胶化反应

在前文基础上,对苯乙烯-二乙烯苯凝胶化反应进行更进一步的Monte Carlo模拟。由于引入了标识符,用三维模型很好地获得了定量表征凝胶化反应的参数：转化率,交联点,分子链数目,重均分子量Mw及数均分子量Mn等的变化规律,得到了与实验基本一致的结果。     

再活化链式聚合

基于传统的链式聚合和逐步聚合二种高分子链增长过程,提出了再活化链式聚合。按此聚合机理,高分子的链增长是通过将一个非活性或睡眠状态的链(Mm)重新活化为活性种(Mm*),活性种再和一个单体(M)反应,生成一个较大分子量的休眠产物(Mm 1)来实现的。再活化链式聚合主要例子包括苯胺和或许其它芳香族单体的氧化聚合,活性自由基聚合,以及核酸和蛋白质合成中的生物聚合。     

Model Reduction in Emulsion Polymerization Using Hybrid First Principles/Artificial Neural Networks Models, 2

Summary: A “series” hybrid model based on material balances and artificial neural networks to predict the evolution of weight average molecular weight, , in semicontinuous emulsion polymerization with long chain branching kinetics is presented. The core of the model is composed by two artificial neural networks (ANNs) that calculate polymerization rate, R_p, and instantaneous weight‐average molecular weight, from reactor process variables. The subsequent integration of the material balances allowed to obtain the time evolution of conversion and , along the polymerization process. The accuracy of the proposed model under a wide range of conditions was assessed. The low computer‐time load makes the hybrid model suitable for optimization strategies.

Effect of the monomer feed rate on .     

Copolymerization of sec‐butenyl acetate with styrene via emulsion polymerization

The incorporation of allylic monomers into highly reactive vinyl polymerizations provides a means to control molecular weight, conversion, and Trommsdorff effect to produce copolymers with desirable performance characteristics. The copolymerization behavior of styrene with sec‐butenyl acetate, whose copolymerization properties have not been reported, is investigated. Copolymers were produced via semicontinuous emulsion polymerization and characterized via NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, and atomic force microscopy. A high degree of chain termination due to allylic hydrogen abstraction was observed, as expected, with resultant decreases in molecular weight and in monomer conversion. However, high conversions were achieved, and it was possible to incorporate high percentages of the allylic acetate comonomer into the polymer chain. Copolymer thermal properties are reported. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3191–3203, 2007     

Branching degree and rheological response correlation in peroxide‐modified linear low‐density polyethylene

Correlations between rheological behavior and degree of long chain branching (LCB) of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) upon a peroxide (dicumyl peroxide [DCP]) modification process under various conditions are discussed in this paper. The gel content analysis revealed negligible insoluble crosslinked fraction implying that incorporation of DCP to LLDPE predominately leads to branching rather than crosslinking. The slight changes in average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution induced by peroxide modification under various conditions revealed that formation of low‐molecular‐weight fractions due to chain scission is also negligible. The changes in terminal, trans, and pendant double bonds concentration of the modified samples with different amounts of peroxide were well depicted by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Considering insignificant changes in molecular weight and molecular weight distribution during peroxide modification, the deviation observed in zero‐shear‐rate viscosity (η₀) values of the modified LLDPE with that of power‐law equation related to the linear PEs could be reliably attributed to the presence of LCB in the peroxide modified samples. Increasing the DCP content at roughly constant molar mass led to increasing of η₀ values as a result of increased degree of LCB. The increase in η₀ values was ascribed to prolonged relaxation times of the polymer molecules due to the retarded reptation motion‐driven relaxation mechanism. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular structure regulation of functional polylactic acid based on chain expansion reaction and its improved hydrolysis resistance

In this work, the functional polylactic acid (PLA) was synthesized using epoxy chain extender (ADR) as a chain extender agent through melt blending method. The effects of ADR content on the molecular structure, thermal properties, and tensile properties of the functional PLA were investigated. Meanwhile, the hydrolytic behavior of the PLA/ADR materials at different hydrolysis temperatures was explored. It was found that ADR effectively regulated the molecular structure of PLA in the molten state and significantly increased the relative molecular weight, storage modulus, and complex viscosity of PLA. In addition, the Cole-Cole diagram results suggested the branched structure of PLA chain expansion systems. Based on mechanical property tests, it was noted that the addition of ADR made the molecular chain form a micro-crosslinked structure. Additionally, the mass loss rate of PLA/1.6ADR (the dosage of ADR was 1.6 wt%) was 14.75% after 14 weeks of hydrolysis under hydrolysis conditions at 58°C, while that of pure PLA was 25.89%. Moreover, the functional PLA/ADR materials exhibited significantly slower decrease rates in molecular weight, melting temperature, and tensile strength, and still maintained intact morphology after 14 weeks of hydrolysis compared to pure PLA. Therefore, the molecular structure of PLA is effectively regulated by ADR, which greatly enhances the hydrolysis resistance and further promotes the range of application of PLA.     

等规聚苯乙烯的单分子链及单链单晶的尺寸判据

将等规聚苯乙烯配成苯的稀溶液，在水面上逐滴扩散，制备得到等规聚苯乙烯的超细微粒，并将微粒在４４８．２Ｋ等温结晶．用透射电镜对非晶态和昌态的粒子进行研究．由电镜测量得到的等规聚苯乙烯的分子量及分子量分布与其ＧＰＣ表征值基本相符，证明我们所得到的超细微粒是单分子尺寸的．     

定量SEC法同时测定短链共聚物的组成和分子量

由于端基对整体高分子链光学性质的贡献，短链高分子的折光指数增量有明显的分子量依赖性．从整体高分子链折光指数增量依从各结构组成单元折光指数增量的重量分数加和律，指示同一高分子链改变端基后，如分别测定它们的折光指数增量。由其差值可以同时获得链干的分子量和折光指数增量，对共聚物言，从链干的折光指数增量又可进而估定共聚物的组成．这一原则特别适用于具有显著端基效应的短链高分子．本工作用定量尺寸排除色谱方法测量具有不同端基的环氧乙烷－环氧丙烷共聚物苯溶液的折光指数增量，以考验此原则，获得了满意结果．     

Effect of branching and molecular weight on the viscoelastic properties of poly(butyl acrylate)

A series of poly(butyl acrylate) samples were prepared by emulsion polymerization with a range of molecular weights and degrees of chain branching. Characterization was performed with NMR (giving the fraction of branching, ranging from approximately 0 to 7%), gel permeation chromatography, viscometry, and determination of the gel fraction. The dynamic mechanical response, that is, the frequency dependence of the storage and loss moduli G′(ω) and G″(ω) was measured from 0.02 to 200 Hz. The occurrence of a significant insoluble fraction in the sample meant that full characterization of the molecular weight distribution was not possible, and so an unambiguous separation of the dependencies of the mechanical response on the degree of long‐chain branching (LCB) and short‐chain branching (SCB) and the molecular weight could not be made; however, trends dependent on the molecular weight alone were insufficient to model the results. At high frequencies, all trends in G′(ω) and G″(ω) could be ascribed to molecular weight dependencies; at low frequencies, the effects of both the molecular weight and total degree of branching could be inferred, with more highly branched samples showing lower storage and loss moduli. Although the relative amounts of SCB and LCB could not be determined, no dynamic features attributable to LCB were observed. The low‐frequency trends could be semiquantitatively fitted with reptation and retraction theory if it was assumed that an increased degree of SCB led to an increased tube size. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3335–3349, 2002     

拟合粘度曲线法研究高聚物的长链支化

本文介绍了用计算机试误法拟合粘度曲线,讨论支化参数的方法,本法可以同时确定支化临界分子量和支化程度,在此基础上可以同时得到支化参数及平均分子量、分子量分布.以聚乙烯标准参考物:SRM 1475(线型)、1476(支化物)及镍催化顺式聚丁二烯为对象介绍了上述方法.     

Living radical polymerization of diisopropyl fumarate to obtain block copolymers containing rigid poly(substituted methylene) and flexible polyacrylate segments

Living radical polymerizations of diisopropyl fumarate (DiPF) are carried out to synthesize poly(diisopropyl fumarate) (PDiPF) as a rigid poly(substituted methylene) and its block copolymers combined with a flexible polyacrylate segment. Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is suitable to obtain a high‐molecular‐weight PDiPF with well‐controlled molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and chain‐end structures, while organotellurium‐mediated living radical polymerization (TERP) and reversible chain transfer catalyzed polymerization (RTCP) give PDiPF with controlled chain structures under limited polymerization conditions. In contrast, controlled polymerization for the production of high‐molecular‐weight and well‐defined PDiPF is not achieved by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (NMP). The block copolymers consisting of rigid poly(substituted methylene) and flexible polyacrylate segments are synthesized by the RAFT polymerization. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2136–2147     

Effect of polymerization conditions on the molecular weight of polystyrene grafted onto silica in the radical graft polymerization initiated by azo or peroxyester groups introduced onto the surface

The effect of polymerization conditions on the molecular weight of polystyrene grafted onto silica obtained from the radical graft polymerization initiated by azo and peroxyester groups introduced onto the surface was investigated. The molecular weight of polystyrene grafted onto silica obtained from the radical graft polymerization initiated by surface azo and peroxyester groups decreased with decreasing monomer concentration and polymerization temperature. The molecular weight of polystyrene was found to be controlled to some extent by the addition of a chain transfer agent. The molecular weight of grafted chain on silica surface obtained from the graft polymerization initiated by surface radicals formed by photodecomposition of azo groups was considerably smaller than that by thermal decomposition. The number of grafted polystyrene in photopolymeriztion, however, was much larger than that in thermal polymerization. These results are explained by the blocking of surface radicals formed on the silica surface by previously grafted polymer chain: when the decomposition of surface azo and peroxyester groups proceed instantaneously at the initial stage of the polymerization, the number of grafted polymer chains increased.     

High‐molecular‐weight polyisobutylenes (PIBs) and PIB networks from liquid PIBs by thiol‐ene clicking

We report the synthesis of high‐molecular‐weight linear polyisobutylenes (PIBs) and PIB networks from low‐molecular‐weight PIB by thiol‐ene click chemistry. Thus, liquid allyl‐telechelic PIB was reacted with small di‐ and tri‐thiols, and the thiolated intermediates chain‐extended by UV‐ or thermally induced free radical initiation to linear and crosslinked products. PIB networks were also prepared by crosslinking SH‐telechelic PIB with a small triallyl compound. Linear products were characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and GPC, and networks by FTIR spectroscopy, extractables, swelling, and permanent set. The effect of reaction conditions (nature of thiol chain extender, concentration of photo‐ and thermal initiators, UV radiation time, and reagent concentrations) on chain extension and crosslinking was investigated. Under well‐defined conditions high‐molecular‐weight PIBs and tight PIB networks were prepared. Thiol‐ene click chemistry provides novel thiolated PIB derivatives and is a useful strategy for the convenient preparation of high‐molecular‐weight rubbery PIBs and tight PIB networks from low‐molecular‐weight PIB precursors. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019     

Monte Carlo simulation of diffusion effects on chain‐extension reactions

The diffusion effects on chain‐extension reactions using carboxyl‐terminated polyamide‐12 as a model reactant with bisoxazolines were investigated by the stochastic Monte Carlo method. Thus, complicated direct modeling and numerical calculations were avoided. The chain‐length dependence and detailed diffusive behavior were discussed in depth. The diffusion effects retarded the progress of chain‐extension reactions and led to lower coupling efficiency. The simulated results indicated that the diffusion effects could make the final molecular weight distributions wider. In the presence of diffusion and with the progress of the coupling efficiency, peaks in the evolution curves of the weight‐average molecular weight and valleys in the evolution curves of the polydispersity index were observed, respectively, when the coupling efficiency was low enough. These phenomena were different from those without diffusion effects and were analyzed in detail. The critical entanglement chain length had strong effects on the simulated results of the diffusion effects, especially when its value was near the average chain length. The results also showed that the effects of the reactant degradation made the molecular weight distribution of the reaction system wider and weakened the diffusion effects on the coupling reaction. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2902–2911, 2006