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Precision Synthesis of Bio‐Based Acrylic Thermoplastic Elastomer by RAFT Polymerization of Itaconic Acid Derivatives
Author(s) -
Satoh Kotaro,
Lee DongHyung,
Nagai Kanji,
Kamigaito Masami
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201300638
Subject(s) - itaconic acid , copolymer , reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization , chain transfer , raft , polymerization , thermoplastic elastomer , polymer chemistry , materials science , acrylic acid , monomer , elastomer , polymer , radical polymerization , living polymerization , composite material
Bio‐based polymer materials from renewable resources have recently become a growing research focus. Herein, a novel thermoplastic elastomer is developed via controlled/living radical polymerization of plant‐derived itaconic acid derivatives, which are some of the most abundant renewable acrylic monomers obtained via the fermentation of starch. The reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerizations of itaconic acid imides, such as N ‐phenylitaconimide and N‐ ( p ‐tolyl)itaconimide, and itaconic acid esters, such as di‐ n ‐butyl itaconate and bis(2‐ethylhexyl) itaconate, are examined using a series of RAFT agents to afford well‐defined polymers. The number‐average molecular weights of these polymers increase with the monomer conversion while retaining relatively narrow molecular weight distributions. Based on the successful controlled/living polymerization, sequential block copolymerization is subsequently investigated using mono‐ and di‐functional RAFT agents to produce block copolymers with soft poly(itaconate) and hard poly(itaconimide) segments. The properties of the obtained triblock copolymer are evaluated as bio‐based acrylic thermoplastic elastomers.