Block Copolymer Synthesis by the Combination of Living Cationic Polymerization and Other Polymerization Methods.

Asmita Dey,Ujjal Haldar,Priyadarsi De

doi:10.3389/fchem.2021.644547

Asmita Dey, Ujjal Haldar + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2021.644547

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Abstract

The foremost limitation of block copolymer synthesis is to polymerize two or more different types of monomers with different reactivity profiles using a single polymerization technique. Controlled living polymerization techniques play a vital role in the preparation of wide range of block copolymers, thus are revolutionary techniques for polymer industry. Polymers with good control over molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, chain-end functionality and architectures can be prepared by these processes. In order to improve the existing applications and create new opportunities to design a new block copolymer system with improved physical and chemical properties, the combination of two different polymerization techniques have tremendous scope. Such kinds of macromolecules may be attended by combination of homopolymerization of different monomers by post-modification techniques using a macroinitiator or by using a dual initiator which allows the combination of two mechanistically distinct techniques. This review focuses on recent advances in synthesis of block copolymers by combination of living cationic polymerization with other polymerization techniques and click chemistry.

Highlights

Macromolecular engineering is the technology of total synthesis of highly controlled macromolecules, with the goal to achieve control over the physical properties of macromolecules, including molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, end-functionality, tacticity, stereochemistry, block sequence, and block topology
This review summarizes the recent developments in the synthesis methodologies of various types of polymeric materials by combined cationic polymerization pathways with other polymerization techniques like radical, anionic, ring opening polymerisation, click chemistry, etc
Design and synthesis of polymers with well-defined complex architectures having advanced properties is an important field of research in polymer science for varied industrial applications

Summary

Introduction

Macromolecular engineering is the technology of total synthesis of highly controlled macromolecules, with the goal to achieve control over the physical properties of macromolecules, including molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, end-functionality, tacticity, stereochemistry, block sequence, and block topology. The best technique for the preparation of polymers with well-defined structures having low dispersity is living polymerization. In the living polymerization process, all chains are initiated during the start of the polymerization and the chains grow at a constant rate retaining their chain-end fidelity (Moad et al, 2008; Jenkins et al, 2009). Cationic polymerization is an important technique for polymer synthesis for monomers having an electron-rich double bond, such as, isobutylene (IB) (Rajasekhar et al, 2020). Conventional cationic polymerization progresses through four elementary steps: initiation, propagation, chain

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