Synthesis of clay-dispersed poly(styrene-co-methyl methacrylate) nanocomposite via miniemulsion atom transfer radical polymerization: A reverse approach

Polymer-functionalization of carbon nanotube by in situ conventional and controlled radical polymerizations

Functionalization of carbon nanotube (CNT) with polymers has drawn much attention due to its wide range of applications. Polymer-functionalized CNT could exhibit variety of properties, such as responsivity to environmental stimuli, ability of complexation with metal ions, increased dispersibility in different solvents, higher compatibility with polymer matrix, etc. Chemical and physical methods have been developed for the preparation of polymer-functionalized CNT. Polymer chains are chemically bonded to the CNT edge or surface in the chemical methods, which results in highly stable CNT/polymer composites. "Grafting to", "grafting from", and "grafting through" methods are the most common chemical methods for polymer-functionalization of CNT. In "grafting to" method, pre-fabricated polymer chains are coupled with the either functionalized or non-functionalized CNT. In "grafting from" and "grafting through" methods, CNT is functionalized by polymers simultaneously synthesized by in situ polymerization methods. Conventional free radical polymerization (FRP) and also controlled radical polymerization (CRP) are the most promising methods for in situ tethering of polymer brushes onto the surface of CNT due to their control over the grafting density, thickness, and functionality of the polymer brushes. The main focus of this review is on the synthesis of polymer-functionalized CNT via both the "grafting from" and "grafting through" methods on the basis of FRP and CRP routs, which is commonly known as in situ polymerizations. Finally, the most important challenges and applications of the in situ polymer grafting methods are discussed, which could be interesting for the future works.

Investigating the Effect of Silica Aerogel Nanoparticles on the Kinetics of AGET ATRP of Methyl Methacrylate

Hexamethyldisilazane-modified silica aerogel nanoparticles were used for in situ polymerization of methyl methacrylate by activators generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP) to synthesize tailor-made PMMA nanocomposites. Appropriate dispersion of silica aerogel nanoparticles in the monomer solution and improvement in interfacial interaction between the PMMA matrix and nanoparticles are two main reasons for application of HMDS-modified silica aerogel nanoparticles. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm was employed to examine surface area and structural characteristics of the HMDS-modified silica aerogel nanoparticles. Evaluation of size distribution and morphological studies were also performed by SEM and TEM. Conversion and molecular weight determinations were carried out using GC and SEC, respectively. Addition of 3 wt% HMDS-modified silica aerogel nanoparticles leads to decrement of conversion from 85 to 64%. Molecular weight of PMMA chains also decreases from 13,912 to 10,810 g⋅mol−1 by addition of only 3 wt% HMDS-modified silica aerogel nanoparticles; however, polydispersity index values increases from 1.18 to 1.51. Linear increase of ln(M0/M) with time for all the samples shows that polymerization proceeds in a living manner. In addition, suitable agreement between theoretical and experimental molecular weight in combination with low PDI values can appropriately demonstrate the living nature of the polymerization. TGA results indicate that by increasing HMDS-modified silica aerogel nanoparticles content, slight improvements in thermal stability of the nanocomposites were obtained. DSC results show a decrease in Tg from 86.9 to 80.1°C by addition of 3 wt% HMDS-modified silica aerogel nanoparticles.

Polystyrene-grafted graphene nanoplatelets with various graft densities by atom transfer radical polymerization from the edge carboxyl groups

An initiator containing modifier, 4-hydroxybutyl 2-bromopropionate (CBr), was synthesized by the reaction of 1,4-butanediol and alpha-bromoisobutyryl bromide. Subsequently, graphene oxide was functionalized with CBr to yield initiator-anchored graphene (GCBr). Then, GCBr was used as the precursor for ATRP of styrene.