Synthesis of a novel polysulfide via the reaction of a thiol compound and oxidant towards polymer self-healing application

Abstract

Introduction: This legion is an indiscernible virtue of polysulfide that it has been employed in a range of fields. In addition, the oxidation of thiol to reversible disulfide is a dramatically preponderant process in biology and chemistry, especially the production of healable polymers. Interestingly, thiol is widely utilized to synthesize numerous polymers through the thiol-click reaction. From the sound of it, our underlying intent in this research is the synthesis of thiol-ended polysulfide potential for the self-healing polymer. Method: In this study, the synthesis of polysulfide carrying the thiol terminal group was undertaken out of the oxidizing reaction in the presence of iodine. Its reaction time was monitored by means of TLC. Furthermore, state-of-the-art measurements of FT-IR, 1H-NMR and GPC were used to represent a great deal of valuable information pertaining to its structure and molecular weight. Result: After a period of 24 hours at room temperature, the reaction producing pure polysulfide was completed. The FT-IR and 1H-NMR results show that the polymer was successfully synthesized; moreover, its Mn is approximately 12000 g/mol. Conclusion: This study will play a vital role in facilitating the use of thiol-terminated polysulfide in the synthesis of self-healing materials in the not-too-distant future.