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Bellotti V, Parkatzidis K, Wang HS, De Alwis Watuthanthrige N, Orfano M, Monguzzi A, Truong NP, Simonutti R, Anastasaki A. Light-accelerated depolymerization catalyzed by Eosin Y. Polym Chem 2023; 14:253-258. [PMID: 36760607 PMCID: PMC9843692 DOI: 10.1039/d2py01383e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Retrieving the starting monomers from polymers synthesized by reversible deactivation radical polymerization has recently emerged as an efficient way to increase the recyclability of such materials and potentially enable their industrial implementation. To date, most methods have primarily focused on utilizing high temperatures (typically from 120 °C to 180 °C) to trigger an efficient depolymerization reaction. In this work, we show that, in the presence of Eosin Y under light irradiation, a much faster depolymerization of polymers made by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization can be triggered even at a lower temperature (i.e. 100 °C). For instance, green light, in conjunction with ppm amounts of Eosin Y, resulted in the accelerated depolymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate) from 16% (thermal depolymerization at 100 °C) to 37% within 1 hour, and finally 80% depolymerization after 8 hours, as confirmed by both 1H-NMR and SEC analyses. The enhanced depolymerization rate was attributed to the activation of a macroCTA by Eosin Y, thus resulting in a faster macroradical generation. Notably, this method was found to be compatible with different wavelengths (e.g. blue, red and white light irradiation), solvents, and RAFT agents, thus highlighting the potential of light to significantly improve current depolymerization approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Bellotti
- Department of Material Science, University of Milano-Bicocca Via R. Cozzi 55 20125 Milan Italy.,Laboratory of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg-5 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Kostas Parkatzidis
- Laboratory of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg-5 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Hyun Suk Wang
- Laboratory of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg-5 Zurich Switzerland
| | | | - Matteo Orfano
- Department of Material Science, University of Milano-BicoccaVia R. Cozzi5520125 MilanItaly
| | - Angelo Monguzzi
- Department of Material Science, University of Milano-BicoccaVia R. Cozzi5520125 MilanItaly
| | - Nghia P. Truong
- Laboratory of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH ZurichVladimir-Prelog-Weg-5ZurichSwitzerland
| | - Roberto Simonutti
- Department of Material Science, University of Milano-BicoccaVia R. Cozzi5520125 MilanItaly
| | - Athina Anastasaki
- Laboratory of Polymeric Materials, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich Vladimir-Prelog-Weg-5 Zurich Switzerland
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Young JB, Bowman JI, Eades CB, Wong AJ, Sumerlin BS. Photoassisted Radical Depolymerization. ACS Macro Lett 2022; 11:1390-1395. [PMID: 36469937 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Controlled radical polymerization techniques enable the synthesis of polymers with predetermined molecular weights, narrow molecular weight distributions, and controlled architectures. Moreover, these polymerization approaches have been routinely shown to result in retained end-group functionality that can be reactivated to continue polymerization. However, reactivation of these end groups under conditions that instead promote depropagation is a viable route to initiate depolymerization and potentially enable closed-loop recycling from polymer to monomer. In this report, we investigate light as a trigger for thermal depolymerization of polymers prepared by reversible-addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. We study the role of irradiation wavelength by targeting the n → π* and π → π* electronic transitions of the thiocarbonylthio end-groups of RAFT-generated polymers to enhance depolymerization via terminal bond homolysis. Specifically, we explore depolymerization of polymers with trithiocarbonate, dithiocarbamate, and p-substituted dithiobenzoate end groups with the purpose of increasing depolymerization efficiency with light. As the wavelength decreases from the visible range to the UV range, the rate of depolymerization is dramatically increased. This method of photoassisted depolymerization allows up to 87% depolymerization efficiency within 1 h, results that may further the advancement of recyclable materials and life-cycle circularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B Young
- George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory, Center for Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Jared I Bowman
- George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory, Center for Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Cabell B Eades
- George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory, Center for Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Alexander J Wong
- George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory, Center for Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Brent S Sumerlin
- George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory, Center for Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
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3
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Li J, Wu C, Lei Y, Liu W. Tuning Catalyst-Free Photocontrolled Polymerization by Substitution: A Quantitative and Qualitative Interpretation. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:3290-3296. [PMID: 35389216 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c00830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Catalyst-free photocontrolled reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization avoids the side effects of photocatalysts but has the accompanying slow kinetics, thereby warranting more efficient photolysis and faster chain transfer. To understand the underlying mechanisms, both quantitative and qualitative interpretations are needed. Such a goal can be achieved by the iCAS (imposed automatic selection and localization of complete active spaces) approach [J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2021, 17, 4846], which maintains the same CAS and meanwhile provides localized orbitals along the whole reaction. Taking dithiobenzoate as a representative of RAFT agents, it is found here that electron-donating substitution (by methoxy) clearly outperforms both electron-standing (by methyl) and electron-withdrawing (by cyano) substitutions in facilitating photo-RAFT polymerization, by narrowing the gap between the π* and σ* orbitals, so as to facilitate the π* → σ* charge transfer dominating both the photolysis and chain transfer processes. Such findings are of general values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- Qingdao Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences, Institute of Frontier and Interdisciplinary Science, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Chenyu Wu
- Qingdao Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences, Institute of Frontier and Interdisciplinary Science, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Yibo Lei
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Shaanxi key Laboratory of Physico-Inorganic Chemistry, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, Shaanxi, P. R. China
| | - Wenjian Liu
- Qingdao Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences, Institute of Frontier and Interdisciplinary Science, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, Shandong, P. R. China
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4
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Lehnen AC, Kurki J, Hartlieb M. The difference between photo-iniferter and conventional RAFT polymerization: high livingness enables the straightforward synthesis of multiblock copolymers. Polym Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1py01530c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Photo-iniferter (PI)-RAFT polymerization, the direct activation of chain transfer agents via light, is a fascinating polymerization technique, as it overcomes some restriction of conventional RAFT polymerization. As such, we elucidated...
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5
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Li CY, Yu SS. Efficient Visible-Light-Driven RAFT Polymerization Mediated by Deep Eutectic Solvents under an Open-to-Air Environment. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yu Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Sheng Yu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Core Facility Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Program on Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing, Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
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Hartlieb M. Photo-Iniferter RAFT Polymerization. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 43:e2100514. [PMID: 34750911 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Light-mediated polymerization techniques offer distinct advantages over polymerization reactions fueled by thermal energy, such as high spatial and temporal control as well as the possibility to work under mild reaction conditions. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization is a highly versatile radical polymerization method that can be utilized to control a variety of monomers and produce a vast number of complex macromolecular structures. The use of light to drive a RAFT-polymerization is possible via multiple routes. Besides the use of photo-initiators, or photo-catalysts, the direct activation of the chain transfer agent controlling the RAFT process in a photo-iniferter (PI) process is an elegant way to initiate and control polymerization reactions. Within this review, PI-RAFT polymerization and its advantages over the conventional RAFT process are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Hartlieb
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP), Geiselbergstraße 69, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
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Allegrezza ML, Konkolewicz D. PET-RAFT Polymerization: Mechanistic Perspectives for Future Materials. ACS Macro Lett 2021; 10:433-446. [PMID: 35549229 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, photochemistry has emerged as a growing area in organic and polymer chemistry. Use of light to drive polymerization has advantages by imparting spatial and temporal control over the reaction. Photoinduced electron/energy transfer reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (PET-RAFT) has emerged as an excellent technique for developing well-defined polymers from a variety of functional monomers. However, the mechanism, of electron versus energy transfer is debated in the literature, with conflicting reports on the underlying process. This perspective focuses on the mechanistic aspects of PET-RAFT, in particular, the electron versus energy transfer pathways. The different mechanisms are evaluated, including evidence for one versus the other mechanisms. The current literature has not reached a consensus across all PET-RAFT processes, but rather, each catalytic system has unique characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L. Allegrezza
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemmistry, Miami University, 651 East High Street, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States
| | - Dominik Konkolewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemmistry, Miami University, 651 East High Street, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States
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