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Redox‐Initiated Reversible Addition‐Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) Miniemulsion Polymerization of Styrene using PPEGMA‐Based Macro‐RAFT Agent
Author(s) -
Park Mirim,
Kim Kyungho,
Mohanty Aruna Kumar,
Cho Hong Y.,
Lee Hana,
Kang Yuyeong,
Seo Bongkuk,
Lee Wonjoo,
Jeon Heung Bae,
Paik Hyunjong
Publication year - 2020
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.202000399
Subject(s) - miniemulsion , chain transfer , raft , polymerization , polymer chemistry , copolymer , ethylene glycol , materials science , reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization , monomer , amphiphile , radical polymerization , chemistry , organic chemistry , polymer
Redox‐initiated reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) miniemulsion polymerizations are successfully conducted with an employment of trithiocarbonate‐based macro‐RAFT agents and surfactant. Two macro‐RAFT agents—hydrophilic poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PPEGMA 27 ) and amphiphilic poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)‐ b ‐polystyrene (PPEGMA 27 ‐ b ‐PS 33 )— are examined for the miniemulsion polymerization of styrene. The use of PPEGMA 27 (in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)) results in a slow polymerization rate with a broad particle size. In the absence of SDS, the use of PPEGMA 27 ‐ b ‐PS 33 results in a broad particle size distribution due to its inability to form uniform initial droplets whereas the same amphiphilic block copolymer in the presence of SDS yields resulting products with a uniform particle size distribution. The latter exhibits a fashion of controlled polymerization with a high consumption of monomer (98% in 100 min) and a narrow molecular weight distribution throughout the polymerization. This is attributed to the formation of uniform droplets facilitated by SDS in a miniemulsion. The amphiphilic macro‐RAFT agent is able to anchor efficiently on the monomer droplet or particle/water interface and form stabilized particles of well‐defined PPEGMA 27 ‐ b ‐PS block copolymer, confirmed using dynamic light scattering and transmission electron micrographs.