Abstract
The controlled synthesis of poly(neopentyl p-styrene sulfonate) (PNSS) using RAFT polymerisation has been studied. Selected experimental conditions led to the production of PNSS with variable molecular weights and low dispersities (D{stroke}≤1.50). The controlled synthesis of poly(neopentyl p-styrene sulfonate) (PNSS) using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerisation has been studied under a wide range of experimental conditions. PNSS can be used as an organic-soluble, thermally labile precursor for industrially valuable poly(p-styrene sulfonate), widely employed in technologies such as ionic exchange membranes and organic electronics. The suitability of two different chain transfer agents, three solvents, three different monomer concentrations and two different temperatures for the polymerisation of neopentyl p-styrene sulfonate is discussed in terms of the kinetics of the process and characteristics of the final polymer. Production of PNSS with systematically variable molecular weights and low dispersities (D{stroke} ≤1.50 in all cases) has been achieved using 2-azidoethyl 2-(dodecylthiocarbonothioylthio)-2-methylpropionate in anisole at 75°C, with an initial monomer concentration of 4.0molL-1. Finally, a poly(neopentyl p-styrene sulfonate)-b-polybutadiene-b-poly(neopentyl p-styrene sulfonate) (PNSS-b-PBD-b-PNSS) triblock copolymer has been synthesised via azide-alkyne click chemistry. Moreover, subsequent thermolysis of the PNSS moieties generated poly(p-styrene sulfonate) end blocks. This strategy allows the fabrication of amphiphilic copolymer films from single organic solvents without the need for post-deposition chemical treatment.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 621-630 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Polymer International |
| Volume | 64 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | 25 Nov 2014 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 2015 |
Bibliographical note
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Fraga Domínguez, I., Kolomanska, J., Johnston, P., Rivaton, A., & Topham, P. D. (2015). Controlled synthesis of poly(neopentyl p-styrene sulfonate) via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerisation. Polymer international, 64(5), 621-630, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pi.4840. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.Keywords
- azide-functionalised polymer
- controlled polymerisation
- poly(neopentyl p-styrene sulfonate)
- poly(p-styrene sulfonate)
- RAFT polymerisation
- trithiocarbonate