Acrylic AB and ABA block copolymers based on poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) (PEHA) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) via ATRP

2-Cyanopropan-2-yl versus 1-Cyanocyclohex-1-yl Leaving Group: Comparing Reactivities of Symmetrical Trithiocarbonates in RAFT Polymerization

This study introduces bis(1-cyanocyclohex-1-yl)trithiocarbonate (TTC-bCCH) as a novel trithiocarbonate chain transfer agent and compares its reactivity with the previously described bis(2-cyanopropan-2-yl)trithiocarbonate (TTC-bCP) for the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of styrene (St), n-butyl acrylate (nBA), and methyl methacrylate (MMA). Significant findings include the effective control of Mn and low dispersities from the onset of polymerization of St and nBA showing swift addition-fragmentation kinetics, leading to similar behaviors between the two RAFT agents. In contrast, a fourfold decrease of the chain transfer constant to MMA is established for TTC-bCCH over TTC-bCP. This trend is confirmed through density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Finally, the study compares thermoplastic elastomer properties of all-(meth)acrylic ABA block copolymers produced with both RAFT agents. The impact of dispersity of PMMA blocks on thermomechanical properties evaluated via rheological analysis reveals a more pronounced temperature dependence of the storage modulus (G') for the triblock copolymer synthesized with TTC-bCCH, indicating potential alteration of the phase separation.

Controlled, one-pot synthesis of recyclable poly(1,3-diene)-polyester block copolymers, catalyzed by yttrium β-diketiminate complexes

The one-pot synthesis of well-defined block copolymers of olefins/1,3-dienes and polar monomers, such as cyclic esters and acrylates has long been the focus of intense research. Cationic alkyl rare earth metal catalysts, activated by organoborates, have shown to be promising for the polymerization of isoprene or styrene and ε-caprolactone. In this study, we synthesize a series of yttrium bis(alkyl) complexes supported by simple β-diketiminate ancillary ligands. Subtle changes have been made to the β-diketiminate ligand framework to elucidate the effect of ligand structure on the rate and selectivity of olefin/1,3-diene and cyclic ester polymerization, with small ligand changes having a large impact on the resulting polymerizations. Generation of the active cationic species was easily streamlined by identification of appropriate catalyst : organoborate ratios, allowing for high catalyst efficiencies. Notably, we demonstrate the first cationic rare earth metal alkyl-initiated polymerization of δ-valerolactone and ε-decalactone as well as introduced five new block copolymer morphologies. In addition, selective degradation of the ester block in poly(isoprene-b-caprolactone) enabled recovery of the polyisoprene block with identical spectroscopic and thermal properties. Significantly, recopolymerization of the recovered poly(1,3-diene) with fresh ε-caprolactone reproduced the desired diblocks with nearly identical thermal and physical properties to those of virgin copolymer, illustrating a plausible recycling scheme for these materials.

Ligand features that promote one-pot block copolymerization of 1,3-dienes and cyclic esters were realized with yttrium β-diketiminate complexes. Depolymerization and repolymerization of the polyester block introduced a plausible recycling strategy.

Azo-Derived Symmetrical Trithiocarbonate for Unprecedented RAFT Control

Bis(2-cyanopropan-2-yl)trithiocarbonate (TTC-bCP) is a new symmetrical trithiocarbonate with the best leaving group ever reported for reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. We propose an elegant route to obtain TTC-bCP starting from 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (AIBN) as a donor of the 2-cyanopropan-2-yl group. TTC-bCP allowed the preparation of a high-molar-mass (M_n ≈ 135 kg mol^-1) methyl methacrylate-n-butyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate triblock copolymer with unprecedented control (D̵ = 1.04) in reversible-deactivation radical polymerization. Rheology measurements of this triblock copolymer showed a typical thermoplastic elastomer behavior with a steady rubbery plateau up to 120 °C.

Toughened PLA-b-PCL-b-PLA triblock copolymer based biomaterials: effect of self-assembled nanostructure and stereocomplexation on the mechanical properties

The current research unfolds the effect of block lengths, microdomain morphology and stereocomplexation on the mechanical properties of PLA-b-PCL-b-PLA triblock copolymers where PCL is involved to improve the poor extensibility of PLA.

Enhanced Heat Resistance and Adhesive Strength of Styrene-Acrylic Triblock Copolymer Elastomers by Incorporating Acrylic Acid

Herein, we present an industrially applicable strategy to enhance the heat resistance and adhesive properties of ABA triblock copolymer-based elastomers composed of styrene (St) and n-butyl acrylate (nBA) by incorporating acrylic acid (AA) at different segments. Three types of triblock copolymers, namely, poly(St-r-AA)-b-poly(nBA)-b-poly(St-r-AA), poly(St)-b-poly(nBA-r-AA)-b-poly(St), and poly(St)-b-poly(nBA)-b-poly(St), were synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Large-scale RAFT polymerization afforded industrially applicable AA-containing triblock copolymers with moderate molecular weights and predetermined comonomer compositions (St/nBA/AA = 15/83/2-24/73/3, number-average molecular weight (M n) = 30,000-110,000, and resulting product > 200 g). The heat resistance and pressure-sensitive adhesive properties of the triblock copolymers were evaluated. Among them, poly(St-r-AA)-b-poly(nBA)-b-poly(St-r-AA), having poly(nBA) as the middle soft segment and poly(St-r-AA) as hard segments at both ends, exhibited excellent heat creep resistance and increased adhesiveness to stainless steel. The feasibility to manipulate the heat resistance and adhesive properties by incorporating AA units into hard and soft segments, in addition to the ease of operation, high block efficiency, and metal-free nature owing to the RAFT process, is highly beneficial for practical applications of these copolymers.

Recent advances in RDRP-modified chitosan: a review of its synthesis, properties and applications

RDRP modified Chitosan exhibits improved hydrophobic, cationic and anionic properties, which make them more useful in diversified applications. This review delineates the recent advancement in RDRP-modified chitosan and their properties.

Cellulose nanocrystal driven microphase separated nanocomposites: Enhanced mechanical performance and nanostructured morphology

The interest in the modification of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) lies in the potential to homogenously disperse CNCs in hydrophobic polymer matrices and to promote interfacial adhesion. In this work, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) were grafted onto CNCs, thereby imparting their hydrophobic traits. The successful grafting modification led to the increased thermal stability of modified CNCs (MCNCs), and the hydrophobic surface modification was integrated with crystalline structure and morphology of CNCs. The nanocomposites with 7 wt% MCNCs/PBA-co-PMMA had an increase in Young's modulus of >25-fold and in tensile strength at about 3 times compared to these of neat PBA-co-PMMA copolymer. In addition, a micro-phase separated morphology (PBA soft domains, and PMMA and CNC hard domains) of MCNCs/PBA-co-PMMA nanocomposites was observed. The large increase in the storage moduli (glass transition temperatures) and organized morphology of MCNCs/PBA-co-PMMA nanocomposites also elucidated the relationship between mechanical properties and micro-phase separated morphology. Therefore, the MCNCs are effective reinforcing agents for the PBA-co-PMMA thermoplastic elastomers, opening up opportunities for their wide-spread applications in polymer composites.

Light-Induced Reworkable Adhesives Based on ABA-type Triblock Copolymers with Azopolymer Termini

Photocurable adhesives based on polymers and resins are an integral part of different production processes because of their fast curing and local area bonding ability. Recently, dismantlable adhesives have attracted a lot of attention for recycling adherends or replacement of adhesion defects. However, adhesives that allow repeatable bonding and debonding solely by light irradiation, i.e., without heat activation, are lacking. Here, ABA-type triblock copolymers consisting of poly(meth)acrylates bearing an azobenzene moiety (A block) and 2-ethylhexyl (B block) side chains were synthesized and utilized as photocurable adhesives. In contrast to the azo homopolymers, the block copolymer structure and incorporation of the soft middle block actualized a low concentration of the azobenzene moiety and consequently, higher flexibility of the resultant copolymers. This enabled film formation of the azobenzene-based adhesives and light-induced bonding for the first time. On the basis of the photoisomerization of the azobenzene moiety, changes in their viscoelastic property, i.e., softening and hardening, were induced by UV irradiation at 365 nm (50-100 mW cm^-2) and green light irradiation at 520 nm (40 mW cm^-2), respectively. In fact, two glass substrates were bonded with the self-standing polymer film, which was sequentially softened and hardened upon UV and green light irradiations. They exhibited shear strengths of 1.5-2.0 MPa, and UV irradiation lowered the adhesion strength to 0.5-0.1 MPa. Interestingly, the repeatable bonding and debonding abilities of the polymers were accomplished without loss of the adhesion strength.

Acetone: a solvent or a reagent depending on the addition order in SET-LRP

The importance of reagent order in biphasic SET-LRP in acetone/water mixtures is shown.

TUNING PROPERTIES AND MORPHOLOGY IN HIGH VINYL CONTENT SBS BLOCK COPOLYMER, A THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMER VIA THIOL-ENE MODIFICATION

Thiol-ene modification of high vinyl content thermoplastic elastomeric styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) block copolymer (BCP) was carried out using different thiolating agents in toluene at 70 °C. 1H NMR analysis confirmed the participation of vinyl double bond in the thiol-ene modification reaction of SBS. Surface morphology of the block copolymers evaluated by atomic force microscopy analysis showed higher roughness after the thiol-ene reaction. The thiol-modified SBS block copolymer showed better adhesion strength and oil resistance properties than the pristine SBS.

Acetone–water biphasic mixtures as solvents for ultrafast SET-LRP of hydrophobic acrylates

Transformation of SET-LRP catalyzed with Cu(0) wire from single phase (acetone/water = 9/1, v/v) into biphase (acetone/water = 8/2, v/v).

All acrylic-based thermoplastic elastomers with high upper service temperature and superior mechanical properties

All acrylic-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) offer potential alternatives to the widely-used styrenic TPEs.

Inhibiting the Thermal Gelation of Copolymer Stabilized Nonaqueous Dispersions and the Synthesis of Full Color PMMA Particles

Polymeric particle dispersions have numerous potential applications; currently one of the most relevant is their use as inks in electrophoretic displays. These colloidal particles are synthesized from the appropriate monomer using nonaqueous dispersion (NAD) polymerization in a nonpolar solvent, which requires a stabilizer to control particle size and morphology. We have previously reported the facile synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-poly(octadecyl acrylate) (PMMA-b-PODA) by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and its use in the NAD polymerization of MMA in hexane/dodecane solvent mixtures. Here we report the synthesis of monodisperse PMMA particles in dodecane following a standard "industrial" procedure using these PMMA-b-PODA stabilizers. However, it was observed that the particle suspensions solidified when they were left at temperatures below ∼18 °C yet redispersed upon being heated. Differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, and rheological studies demonstrated that this thermoresponsive behavior was due to a liquid-gel transition occurring at 17.5 °C as a consequence of the upper critical solution temperature of PODA in dodecane being traversed. Consequently, new copolymers were synthesized by ATRP with an ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) co-monomer incorporated into the lyophilic (dodecane compatible) block. Dispersions stabilized by these PMMA-b-P(ODA-co-EHA) polymers with high EHA contents exhibited lower gelation temperatures because of the greater solvent compatibility with dodecane. The use of a PMMA65-b-(ODA10-co-EHA45) copolymer stabilizer (with the highest EHA content) gave PMMA dispersions that showed no gelation down to 4 °C and monodisperse cross-linked PMMA particles containing organic dyes (cyan, magenta, red, and black) giving colored particles across the size range of approximately 100-1300 nm.

Fluorinated amphiphilic block copolymers via RAFT polymerization and their application as surf-RAFT agent in miniemulsion polymerization

Preparation of an amphiphilic block copolymer (Am-BCP) based on poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) and heptafluorobutyl acrylate (HFBA) via RAFT polymerization and application of this Am-BCP as surf-RAFT agent for polymerization of styrene.