Radical Graft Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers Initiated by A20 Groups Introduced Onto a Carbon Black Surface: Effect of azo Groups on Graft Polymerization

Abstract

Abstract The radical graft polymerization of vinyl monomers from carbon black initiated by azo groups introduced onto the surface was investigated. The introduction of azo groups onto carbon black surface was achieved by three methods: the reaction of 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane] (AIP) with (1) epoxide groups, which were introduced by the reaction of carbon black with chlorometh-yloxirane; (2) acyl chloride groups, which were introduced by the reaction of carboxyl groups on the surface with thionyl chloride; and (3) 3-chloroformyl-1-cyano-1-methylpropyl groups, which were introduced by the reaction of carbon black with 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid) and then thionyl chloride. The amount of azo groups introduced onto the surface by the above methods was determined to be 0.07-0.19 mmol/g. The graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate was found to be initiated by azo groups introduced onto the carbon black surface. During the polymerization, poly(methyl methacrylate) was effectively grafted onto carbon black through propagation of the polymer from the radical produced on the surface by the decomposition of the azo groups. The percentage of grafting using carbon black having azo groups introduced by method 1 increased to 40%. It was also found that the graft polymerization of several vinyl monomers such as styrene, acrylonitrile, and acrylic acid was initiated by the azo groups introduced onto the surface and the corresponding polymer was effectively grafted onto the surface. Furthermore, the effect of the amount of carbon black having azo groups on the graft polymerization was investigated.