Comb‐like polymer‐graphene nanocomposites with improved adhesion properties via surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP)

Abstract

The synthesis and properties of comb‐like polymer‐graphene nanocomposites via surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization is reported. The crystallization temperature (Tc) and melt temperature (Tm) of the comb‐like homopolymer increases from −18 to −8 °C and 1 to 11 °C, respectively, in the nanocomposite synthesized with 0.6 wt % graphene initiator. The rheological properties like modulus and complex viscosity of the nanocomposite show a twofold increase. Transmission electron microscopy results of the nanocomposite show a well‐intercalated structure with nanoscale distribution of graphene domains and in scanning electron microscopy a sheet‐like structure with corrugations, and crumples are seen. The hydrophobicity, as measured by water contact angle, increases from 101° in the homopolymer to 118° in the nanocomposite. The nanocomposites exhibit substantial increase in adhesive strength on different substrates, with peel strength increasing by more than 1000 times, as compared to the homopolymer. The improved tack and adhesion properties of the nanocomposites suggest them as novel materials for adhesive applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45885.

Copolymerization of Styrene and Pentadecylphenylmethacrylate (PDPMA): Synthesis, Characterization, Thermomechanical and Adhesion Properties

“…The melting transitions, other than glass transition were earlier observed in comb-like polymers of n-alkyl acrylate polymers, due to the crystallizable side chains, as in the case of PDPMA. The melting transitions are characteristic of side chain crystallisable polymers and the T g mostly overlaps with the melting transition [18,37,49].…”

“…The synthesis of a novel reactive surfactant starting from the acrylate derivative of PDP and its application in the preparation of internally plasticized polystyrene with improved hydrophobic characteristics was reported by us [43,44]. The methacrylate derivative of PDP was hybridized with graphene and the nanocomposite showed side chain crystallization and improved adhesion properties [37]. The adhesion properties could be further controlled by copolymerization with monomers like styrene or MMA and the copolymerization data are important in such cases [45].…”

“…It has been utilized in several industrial applications, ranging from adhesives and coatings, to lining materials, and recently, the development of some new polymers with novel properties have been reported [32][33][34][35]. We have reported the application of controlled radical polymerization methods, like atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), to cardanol based monomers which yielded polymers with novel processability, performance, and its nanocomposite with graphene showing superior adhesion and surfactant properties [36][37][38]. In this regard, the acrylate and methacrylate derivatives of hydrogenated cardanol (PDP, 3-pentadecylphenol) offer great potential and consistent characteristics as compared to cardanol.…”

Numerical Simulation of Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization of tert-butyl Methacrylate

“…17 . The desired architecture and narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) provided the ability to design molecules for multiple applications, such as adhesives 18 , cellulosebased elastomers 19 , drug delivery systems 20,21 , antifouling surfaces 22 , lubricants 23 , dispersants 24 , etc.…”