Abstract
Reversible additon fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations of methyl acrylate (MA) in solution containing either 22 vol.-% CO2 or toluene were performed at 80°C and 300 bar using cumyl dithiobenzoate (CDB) at concentrations between 1.8 × 10-3 to 2.5 × 10 -2 mol · L-1 as the RAFT agent. Product molecular weight distributions and average molecular weight indicated the successful control of MA polymerization in CO2, even at low CDB concentrations. RAFT polymerization rates were strongly retarted by CDB and were lower in CO2 than in toluene solution. The enhanced fluidity associated with the addition of CO2 to the polymerizing system provided access to mechanistic details of RAFT polymerization. The data of the present study into MA, together with our recent results on RAFT polymerization of styrene in solution of CO2 and of toluene, suggest that self-termination of intermediate RAFT radicals is responsible for retardation in case of high concentrations of this intermediate and in case of enhanced fluidity, which may be achieved by polymerization in solution of CO2.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 283-293 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Macromolecular Materials and Engineering |
Volume | 290 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2005 Apr 19 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- High pressure
- Kinetics (polymerization)
- Living/controlled radical polymerization
- Reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)
- Supercritical carbon dioxide
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemical Engineering(all)
- Polymers and Plastics
- Organic Chemistry
- Materials Chemistry