Abstract
Strategies for switching polymerizations between "ON" and "OFF" states offer new possibilities for materials design and fabrication. While switching of controlled radical polymerization has been achieve using light, applied voltage, allosteric effects, chemical reagents, pH, and mechanical force, it is still challenging to introduce multiple external switches using the same catalyst to achieve logic gating of controlled polymerization reactions. Herein, we report an easy-to-synthesize thermally responsive organo-/hydro-gel that features covalently bound 10-phenylphenothiazine (PTH). With this "Gel-PTH", we demonstrate switching of controlled radical polymerization reactions using temperature "LOW"/"HIGH", light "ON"/"OFF", and catalyst presence "IN"/"OUT". Various iniferters/initiators and a wide range of monomers including acrylates, methacrylates, acrylamides, vinyl esters, and vinyl amides were polymerized by RAFT/iniferter and ATRP methods using Gel-PTH and a readily available compact fluorescent light (CFL) source. In all cases, polymer molar masses increased linearly with conversion, and narrow molar mass distributions were obtained. To further highlight the utility of Gel-PTH, we achieved "AND" gating of controlled radical polymerization wherein various combinations of three stimuli were required to induce polymer chain growth. Finally, block copolymer synthesis and catalyst recycling were demonstrated. Logic-controlled polymerization with Gel-PTH offers a straightforward approach to achieve multiplexed external switching of polymer chain growth using a single catalyst without the need for addition of exogenous reagents.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.