Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization of Styrene in Poly (Ethylene Glycol)

By : Lemin Zhu, Lei Ye, Fuzhen Yan, Huan Liu, Zijing Zhang, Rong Ran

Page No: 333-346

Abstract
A range of poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEG 400, PEG 1000, PEG 4000, PEG 6000, average Mn = 400, 1000, 4000, 6000 g mol-1) as green solvent for reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of styrene were investigated. At low conversion, the first-order kinetic, low molecular weight distributions (PDs < 1.1) and the linear evolution of the number[1]average molecular weight Mn with conversion showed the well control of the polymerization of styrene in PEG 400. However, phase separation was observed after several hours polymerizations because of the poor solubility of polystyrene (PS) in PEGs. The effect of molecular weight of PEG and the mass ratio of PEG to St on phase separation time and the polymerization rate has been investigated. In addition, the influence of solvents on steric structure of the PS was also explored by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) spectrum, results showed that PEG had a certain effect on the way monomer adding to the polymer chain.

Authors :
Lemin Zhu, Lei Ye, Fuzhen Yan, Huan Liu, Zijing Zhang And Rong Ran : College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Department of Polymer Material, Sichuan University, Cheng Du 610065, China