RAFT copolymerization and its application to the synthesis of novel dispersants-intercalants-exfoliants for polymer-clay nanocomposites: Some interesting results from RAFT (Co)polymerization

Graeme Moad, Guoxin Li, Rudolf Pfaendner, Almar Postma, Ezio Rizzardo, San Thang, Hendrik Wermter

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperResearchpeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper will discuss aspects of (co)polymerization of acrylates with reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT). An explanation for bimodal molecular weight distributions observed when making high molecular weight acrylic polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions (M̄./M̄. <1.1) at high conversion involves copolymerization of the macromonomer formed by backbiting-β-scission. Evidence for this mechanism is provided. RAFT copolymerization is illustrated by the synthesis of novel copolymer intercalants/ exfoliants/dispersants for unmodified layered silicates (sodium montmorillonite) in polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites. Block and gradient copolymers were prepared based on a long chain acrylate (e.g. octadecyl acrylate, ODA) and various polar comonomers (e.g. acrylic acid, dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, maleic anhydride, methacrylic acid, N-vinyl pyrrolidone).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationControlled/Living Radical Polymerization from Synthesis to Materials
EditorsKrzysztof Matyjaszewski
Chapter35
Pages514-532
Number of pages19
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2006
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameACS Symposium Series
Volume944
ISSN (Print)0097-6156

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