Synthesis and characterization of star-shaped block copolymers composed of poly(3-hydroxy octanoate) and styrene via RAFT polymerization

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Date

2022

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Taylor & Francis Inc

Access Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess

Abstract

This study investigated a macro reversible addition fraction chain transfer (RAFT) agent based on three-arm hydroxylated star-shaped poly(3-hydroxy octanoate). The utilization of this star-shaped poly(3-hydroxy octanoate) macro-RAFT agent in the RAFT process resulted in efficient control in the preparation of star-shaped block styrene copolymers. Poly(3-hydroxy octanoate) (PHO) was reacted with diethanol amine (DEA) in order to obtain three-arm hydroxylated poly(3-hydroxy octanoate) (PHO-DEA). A carboxylic acid-functionalized RAFT agent (2-(dodecylthiocarbonothioylthio)-2-methylpropionic acid) was reacted with the PHO-DEA in order to obtain a star-shaped PHO macro-RAFT agent (PHO-R2). A series of AB(3) type PHO-polystyrene (PHO-PS) star-shaped block copolymers were obtained via the polymerization of styrene (S) using the PHO-R2 in toluene at 80 degrees C. The RAFT polymerization was seen to obey the polymerization kinetics of controlled free radical polymerization. The plasticizing effect of the PHO soft segments was influenced by the glass transition temperature (Tg) of polystyrene. This was clearly observed in the block copolymers. Moreover, it was clear that this plasticizing effect disappeared in the block copolymers as a result of the increase in polymerization time. The molar masses of the obtained copolymers increased in parallel with increases in the polymerization time. Structural, physiochemical, and thermal characterization of the obtained products was carried out using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The polymerization kinetics of the star-shaped block copolymers were also investigated in detail.

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Keywords

Poly(3-Hydroxy Octanoate); Macro Raft Agent; Three Hydroxylated Pho; Pho-Ps Star-Shaped Block Copolymers; Biomaterials, Chemical-Modification; Bacterial Polyesters; Triblock Copolymers; Polyhydroxyalkanoates; Biosynthesis; Elastomers; Chemistry; Polymers; Micellization; Polystyrene

Journal or Series

Journal of Macromolecular Science Part A-Pure and Applied Chemistry

WoS Q Value

Q3

Scopus Q Value

Q2

Volume

59

Issue

8

Citation