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Synthesis of graft copolymers. III. Polystyrene‐ g ‐poly(butyl acrylate)
Author(s) -
Morales Graciela,
Guerrero Ramiro
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.2227
Subject(s) - polymer chemistry , copolymer , acrylate , polymerization , polystyrene , radical polymerization , materials science , monomer , living free radical polymerization , homolysis , chemistry , polymer , radical , organic chemistry , composite material
Polystyrene (PS) chains functionalized with pendant 1,2‐bis(trimethylsilyloxy)tetraphenylethane (TPSE) groups are used as macroinitiators to initiate the polymerization of n ‐butyl acrylate (BuA) to synthesize PS‐ g ‐poly(BuA) (PS‐ g ‐PBuA) copolymers at 130°C. The TPSE groups are known to function as initers in the polymerization of several vinyl monomers. The homolytic decomposition of TPSE results in a diphenylmethyl (DPM) radical attached to the main chain and a free DPM radical. The former is responsible for the polymerization initiation and the latter momentarily stops the growth of the growing grafts by the formation of a dormant species. Unfortunately, side reactions like the combination between growing grafts take place and the polymerization can only be controlled in a limited range of conversion. The most appropriate conditions for the synthesis of PS‐ g ‐PBuA are reported to present their potential use as thermoplastic elastomers with relatively controlled structures. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 19–26, 2002