Synthesis of PAN with adjustable molecular weight and low polydispersity index (PDI) value via reverse atom transfer radical polymerization

The reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (RATRP) of acrylonitrile (AN) was carried out in N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) with AIBN as initiator, FeCl3•6H2O/triphenylphosphine (PPh3) and FeCl3•6H2O/pentamethyldle-thylenetrlamlne (PMDETA) as catalytic systems, respectively. Effect of reaction time and initiator concentration on polymerization rate, molecular weight and molecular weight distribution were investigated in detail. The Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HNMR) were employed to analyze the chain end of the PAN. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was applied to measure the molecular weight and polydispersity index (PDI) of PAN. The polymerization demonstrated a typical pseudo first-order kinetics characteristics as evidenced by the number-average molecular weights (Mn) increasing linearly with monomer conversion; the Mn decreasing with the increasing of the initiator concentration. Meanwhile, the low PDI value (<1.2) indicated the controllability of polymerization.

Supported Cu0 nanoparticles catalyst for controlled radical polymerization reaction and block-copolymer synthesis

The synthesis of Cu⁰ nanoparticles on different supports and their activity in controlled living radical polymerization processes is presented. The type of support influences the final size of the copper nanoparticles as well as their adhesion to the support. These aspects have a direct influence on the characteristics of the polymers obtained. The best results were obtained for SiO₂ particles, which afforded a good molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn = 1.25). The activity, recovery and recycling of the catalyst was explored for ultrafast polymerization reaction of butyl acrylate. Further, the terminal bromine reactivity was used for the synthesis of a block poly(n butyl acrylate-block-styrene). The influence of ligand type on the control of the reaction was studied. Also, a straightforward polymerization procedure without any ligand afforded a polydispersity value of 1.38.

Facile, simple, and inexpensive ionic liquid, 1-phenyl-3-methylimidazole diphenyl phosphate, as an efficient phosphorus-based ligand for copper-catalyzed reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate

A facile, simple, and inexpensive ionic liquid, 1-phenyl-3-methylimidazole diphenyl phosphate has been successfully used as an efficient phosphorus ligand for CuBr₂-mediated reverse ATRP.

Ex situ Cu(0) nanoparticle mediated SET-LRP of methyl methacrylate/styrene-methyl methacrylate in a biphasic toluene–water system

Cu(0) nanoparticles mediated SET-LRP of methyl methacrylate/styrene-methyl methacrylate in biphasic toluene–water system.

Cu(0)-mediated living radical polymerization: recent highlights and applications; a perspective

Cu(0)-mediated living radical polymerization or single electron transfer living radical polymerization (Cu(0)-mediated LRP or SET-LRP) is a versatile polymerization technique that has attracted considerable interest during the past few years for the facile preparation of advanced materials.

Reversible deactivation radical polymerization in the presence of zero-valent metals: from components to precise polymerization

We highlight recent work from the advent of zero-valent metal-mediated RDRP looking at advances in its components and the synthesis of well-defined polymers.