Synthesis of amphiphilic PVC-b-poly(hydroxypropyl acrylate) (PHPA)-b-PVC block copolymers with low PHPA contents and different molecular weights by (Single Electron Transfer)-(Degenerative Chain Transfer) living radical polymerization

Abstract

The aim of this work was to synthesize new amphiphilic block copolymers, based on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and containing poly(hydroxypropyl acrylate) (PHPA), by using the controlled/“living” radical polymerization (CLRP) method. Various block copolymers containing a small proportion of PHPA were prepared, each having a different molecular weight. The technique used was the same as that employed in the production of commercial PVC made by free‐radical polymerization. The materials were characterized in terms of their molecular structure, morphology, particle size, and surface and thermal properties. The CLRP preparation of block copolymers that are based on PVC and have low contents of other monomer units opens the possibility of synthesizing new materials whose properties are close to those of PVC but have new properties that may considerably enhance their performance. The incorporation of small amounts of PHPA into PVC block copolymers provided greater surface hydrophilicity and improved thermal stability while maintaining relevant processing properties, such as particle size and average molecular weight, so that they close to those of conventional PVC homopolymers. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 19:157‐167, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers

Synthesis of random and block copolymers of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate by RAFT miniemulsion polymerizations mediated by a fluorinated xanthate

“…Rosen and Percec developed the single‐electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) and single‐electron transfer degenerative chain transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐DTLRP) using Cu 0 or Na 2 S 2 O 4 as a catalyst, CHI 3 or CH 2 I 2 as an initiator, and confirmed the living nature of SET‐LRP and SET‐DTLRP of VC and acrylate monomers . Thus, a series of block copolymers consisting of PVC and polyacrylate blocks, including PMMA‐ b ‐PVC‐ b ‐PMMA, PVC‐ b ‐poly(2‐ethylhexyl acrylate)‐ b ‐PVC, PVC‐ b ‐PBA‐ b ‐PVC, PVC‐ b ‐poly(hydroxypropyl acrylate)‐ b ‐PVC, PVC‐ b ‐poly(isonorbornyl)‐ b ‐PVC copolymers, were synthesized either from living PVC or from living polyacrylate. Mendes et al .…”