Organocatalyzed Photo-Controlled Synthesis of Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Fluorinated Alternating Copolymers |
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Authors: | Chengda Zhou Zexi Zhang Weiping Li Prof Dr Mao Chen |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Macromolecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 China;2. Division of Natural and Applied Sciences & Environmental Research Center, Duke Kunshan University, Suzhou, Kunshan, 215316 China |
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Abstract: | Ultrahigh-molecular-weight (UHMW) polymers with tailored structures are highly desirable for the outstanding properties. In this work, we developed a novel photoorganocatalyzed controlled radical alternating copolymerizations of fluoroalkyl maleimide and diverse vinyl comonomers, enabling efficient preparation of fluorinated copolymers of predetermined UHMWs and well-defined structures at high conversions. Versatility of this method was demonstrated by expanding to controlled terpolymerization, which allows facial access toward fluorinated terpolymers of UHMWs and functional pendants. The obtained copolymers exhibited attractive physical properties and furnished thermoplastic, anticorrosive and (super)hydrophobic attributes as coatings on different substrates. Molecular simulations provided insights into the coating morphology, which unveiled a fluorous protective layer on the top surface with polar groups attached to the bottom substrate, resulting in good adhesion and hydrophobicity, simultaneously. This synthetic method and customized copolymers shed light on the design of high-performance coatings by macromolecular engineering. |
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Keywords: | Copolymerization Fluoropolymer Material Science Photocatalysis Ultra High Molecular Weight |
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