Premium
Biocompatible polymers via aqueous electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization
Author(s) -
Michieletto Alessandro,
Lorandi Francesca,
De Bon Francesco,
Isse Abdirisak Ahmed,
Gennaro Armando
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2642-4169
pISSN - 2642-4150
DOI - 10.1002/pola.29462
Subject(s) - atom transfer radical polymerization , dispersity , monomer , polymer chemistry , methacrylate , polymer , polymerization , ethylene oxide , chemistry , acrylate , aqueous solution , materials science , copolymer , organic chemistry
The preparation of well‐defined polymers via aqueous atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is challenging due to the high activity and limited stability of ATRP catalysts in water. Optimized conditions previously reported for the ATRP of some water‐soluble monomers cannot be regarded as universal conditions. Indeed, well‐controlled electrochemically mediated ATRP ( e ATRP) of oligo(ethylene oxide)methyl ether acrylate (OEOA) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were achieved by adjusting the conditions in relation to the solubility and reactivity of these monomers and corresponding polymers. Importantly, PEOA with low dispersity and predetermined molecular weight was obtained even with low catalyst loading and high monomer content (up to 50 vol %). Moreover, >90% conversion of HEMA was obtained within 6–7 h, giving PHEMA with dispersity 1.2–1.3. This work confirms e ATRP as a versatile, clean technique applicable to a range of water‐soluble, biocompatible monomers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 58 , 114–123