One-step Preparation of Comb-like Surfactants Containing Poly(ethylene oxide) Methyl Ether and Linear Alkyl Grafts

Abstract

Abstract The optimum one-step method for preparing comb-like surfactants with poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (SMA) as backbone was investigated to achieve a commercial way for manufacture. The side chain molecule was introduced into reaction system while the radical copolymerization of styrene (St) and maleic anhydride (MA) in anhydrous inhibitor-free tetrahydrofuran (THF) was finished. The precipitation and purification process of SMA in traditional grafting-onto route was passed over. A series comb-like surfactants with various side chain, poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)-g-(poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether) (SMA-M), poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)-g-(poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether & dodecane) (SMA-M+C12) and poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)-g-(dodecane) (SMA-C12), was prepared via this one step method respectively. The molecular weight of the products was measurement via gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The comb-like structures of the surfactants were confirmed by Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). The equilibrium surface tension was measured to evaluate the surface activity of comb-like surfactants. The surface activity of the product could be improved by using C12 to carry out a hydrophobic modification. The surface activity of comb-like surfactants could be adjusted by using various side chains with different amphiphilic property.