Preparation of PTBA-PAA-PMMA Compatibilizer for PET-PMMA Blends by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Abstract

The synthesis of diblock copolymer of tert butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate (PTBA-b-PMMA) was prepared by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP). At the outset, macroinitiator of tert butyl acrylate (TBA) was prepared by using N,N,N,N,N-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) ligand, Cuprous Bromide (CuBr) catalyst, and ethyl 2-bromo isobutyrate (2-EiBBr) initiator. Immediately after the intake of the utmost TBA in the macroinitiator, the second monomer, methyl methacrylate (MMA) was added to the reaction medium, for further polymerization. In these experiments the compositions of the monomers were varied, although the concentrations of ligand, catalyst and the initiator were kept constant. Subsequently, the diblock copolymers were hydrolyzed, under acidic conditions, using HCl catalyst, to obtain an amphiphilic copolymer. These block copolymers were characterized by NMR, IR, GPC, and DSC techniques. These copolymers will be used in, powder coatings, pigment dispersions, and as compatibilizers in polymer blends.