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Reactive mcl‐PHA: A Sustainable Alternative for Innovative Hybrid Materials
Author(s) -
Moraes Raul P.,
Smeets Niels M. B.,
McKenzie Nathalie,
Zhang Ying,
Kontopoulou Marianna,
Ramsay Bruce,
Ramsay Juliana A.,
McKenna Timothy F. L.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201200295
Subject(s) - miniemulsion , polymerization , materials science , grafting , differential scanning calorimetry , chemical engineering , copolymer , extraction (chemistry) , styrene , polymer chemistry , rheology , polymer , organic chemistry , chemistry , composite material , physics , engineering , thermodynamics
The ability to incorporate medium chain length poly(hydroxyalkanoate) (mcl‐PHA) in the styrene miniemulsion polymerization process was investigated. As a result, novel poly(hydroxyalkanoate)‐ co ‐poly(stryrene) (PHA‐ co ‐PS) copolymers were synthesized in the form of stable organic–organic hybrid latexes. Evidence of chemical grafting of mcl‐PHA and cross‐linking of the PHA grafts was obtained using NMR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), gel extraction, and rheological analysis. A high degree of mcl‐PHA grafting was achieved by maintaining proper miniemulsion polymerization conditions throughout the course of the polymerization. The incorporation of PHA grafts was a function of the level of PHA in the formulations as well as the reaction conditions, as evidenced by solvent extraction and rheological analysis. DSC showed shifts in the T g of PS towards higher temperatures, indicating chemical interaction of PS‐PHA.