The first example of a living carbocationic polymerization in emulsion is presented. Isobutylene was copolymerized with alloocimene, a tri‐terpene. AFM, TEM, and DSC analysis demonstrated a phase separated nanostructure. NMR and TGA revealed the presence of a diblock structure in the material that displayed thermoplastic elastomeric properties with 6 MPa tensile strength and 1000% strain at break. Triblocks were also prepared by sequential monomer addition, yielding 12 MPa tensile strength with 640% strain at break.

This article presents the synthesis and characterization of diblock, triblock, and tetrablock copolymers of alloocimene (Allo), a terpene from renewable resources, and isobutylene (IB) using the recently reported two-phase living carbocationic system. The addition of a second Allo increment to diblocks of Allo and IB yielded triblock and tetrablock structures. The block copolymers showed thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE) properties. It is demonstrated that the unusual behavior of diblocks exhibiting TPE properties is due to the strain-induced crystallization of the polyisobutylene block. The polyalloocimene blocks can be cured, making this material a potential replacement of halobutyl rubber without halogen content.

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The effective recycling of polymer materials remains unresolved to this day, and this has had a devastating effect on the environment. This study examines an alternative method to PET recycling that is the generation of polymer fibers and fiber mats for filtration applications. The electrospinning instrumentation used in this study had to be designed and built in order to carry out the research. We have managed to produce PET fibers with 200-600 nm diameter, and free-standing fiber mats that could potentially be used in filtration applications.

The role of electron pair donors in the carbocationic polymerizations of isobutylene is still debated. Here, the copolymerization of isobutylene and alloocimene initiated by trimethyl pentyl chloride/TiCl4 in hexane(s)/MeCl (60/40 v/v) solvent system at −80 °C with di‐tert‐butylpyridine as a proton trap displays the rapid monomer consumption phenomenon in the absence of dimethyl acetamide. In contrast, the copolymerization is living in the presence of dimethyl acetamide.