Versatile Multi-Functional Block Copolymers Made by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization and Post-Synthetic Modification: Switching from Volatile Organic Compound Sensors to Polymeric Surfactants for Water Rheology Control via Hydrolysis.

Federico Di Sacco,Andrea Pucci,Patrizio Raffa

doi:10.3390/nano9030458

Abstract

Novel, multipurpose terpolymers based on styrene (PS), tert-butyl methacrylate (tBMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), have been synthesized via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP). Post-synthetic modification with 1-pyrenemethylamine (AMP) allows non-covalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes, eventually yielding a conductive nanocomposite materials capable of interacting with different Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) by electrical resistance variation upon exposure. Moreover, facile hydrolysis of the tBMA group yields polyelectrolytic macrosurfactants with remarkable thickening properties for promising applications in water solution, such as Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR).

Highlights

The study and development of functional polymeric materials has attracted growing interest in the scientific and industrial world over the last twenty years, thanks to their wide applicability in many fields of science [1,2]
Novel, multipurpose terpolymers based on styrene (PS), tert-butyl methacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), have been synthesized via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP)
The polymers synthesized in this work were designed to have a short PS block and a variable block containing tert-butyl methacrylate (tBMA) and GMA in a random distribution, with different lengths and compositions

Summary

Introduction

The study and development of functional polymeric materials has attracted growing interest in the scientific and industrial world over the last twenty years, thanks to their wide applicability in many fields of science [1,2] Their ability to react to different stimuli and conditions from the surrounding environment is surely an appealing feature that drastically improves the versatility for many areas of application, including bio-medical, electronics, catalysis, sensoristics and engineering [3,4,5]. By modifying the monomers composition and the polymerization procedure, it is possible to obtain very different properties and morphologies; in addition, further post-polymerization modification can greatly differentiate the scope for which the polymer was initially meant. In this regard, copolymers play a crucial role. OOnnee ooff tthhee mmoosstt iinntteerreessttiinnggbbuuilidldininggbblolcokcsksininthtihsicsocnotnextet xist icserctearintalyinglylygcildyycildmyletmhaectrhyalacrteylate (G(GMMAA))..IIttss eeppooxxiiddee ggrroouuppccaannbbeefufnucntciotinoanliazleizdebdybryinrginogpeonpinengirnegacrteioanctsioinnsmiinldmcoilnddcitoionnduitsioinnguasing awwidiederarnagnegeofofnunculceloepohpihleisleslikleikeamamineins,est,hitohliso, lsa,ziadzeisd, eas,lcoahlcoolhs,olws,hiwlehitlhee thaceryalcicrybliacckbbaocnkebone ccooppoolylymmeerrizizeeququitieteeaesailsyilvyiavriaadriacadlicparlocpersosceesswseisthwoitthheroathcreyrliaccmryolincommeornso[m13e–r1s6[]1. 3S–e1v6e]r.alSpevoelyraml eric aprcohlyitmecetruicreasrccahnitebcetuorbetsaicnaend bbey orebatactinioendwbiythrecaocmtiponouwnditshwcoitmh pdoifufenrdesntwditehgrdeiefsfeorfenfut ndcetigorneeaslizoaftion, tadofGcCbeuolrlMyneniovicsseAtettoslirr-douwlyiin,ncneaftstkiorelyoieerrzsndaatfecoetoxGtimufoawMnndmdw,irAtputhaiogltmbehml,ydeicceiseeeotttlloaailndvlrleti,einsrarofotynownelrdlrsseea,yerdlcpesxitntaoreuwemelmsaalieeprtrdhawlapesnami,eotsdhsleaytrtnacsemaoroalfncenuaittorn-norspnodrcsos[lt,l1illefoai7pondrn,or1ebrla8oateihr]rfol.eepmeaaPnsoxsooyletdylelneyamrntcsnmhoueaefnrleusles-rinp[sssi1,ccto7oitalmid,falo1lern8nuor]abwli.oinviofPi[oanm1oeptg9ixlaovy,ttr2lemehet0riscenc]eu.loracelifloeCscssGnr[d,t2soiMaemt1srlr]sluAiu.ov-cRllwaiitwneti[iiocn1kveen9geren,eds2ottl0hffoyGo]edf.,uMrnuAdg mGiMceAlleespwoxeirdeeursiendgsashraevaectboeresnfofurnthcteiosnyanlitzheedsiswoitfhnfalunoorpoaprhtiocrleess [t2o1e].nRabelceenintvlye,sGtigMatAionepboyxildigehrtings heamveisbsieoenn fsutinmcutiloi-ninadliuzeceddwsittrhuflctuuorraolpmhoordeisfitcoateionnasb.lePiynrveenset,igCaotiuomn abryinligahntdemRhisosdioanmsitniemuBli-winedreuced sstruucccteussrfaulllmy oudseifidctaotigornasn.t tPoyvraernieo,uCs GouMmAadrienriavnatdivReshoemdaitmtiningepBrowpeerrteiessu[1c6c,e1s9s–f2u1l]l.yAumseodngtothgorsaen, t to vpayriroeunse GdeMriAvatdivereisvhaatisvbeeseenmwititdienlgy pinrvoepsetrigtiaetsed[1a6s,1m9–o2le1c]u. lAarmpornogbetshionsem, ipceylrleanr eagdgerreigvaatteisveosr hevaesnbeen winidethlye ininvveessttiiggaatteidonasomf ostlerucuctluarraplroanbdes cinonmfoicremllaatrioanggcrheagnagteess oirnevperontienintshe[2in2]v,eastsigaatrioesnuoltf sotfruitcstural aangdgcroegnafotiromn-aitniodnuccehdanqgueesnicnhperdotfeluinosre[2s2ce],nacse.a reIsnulatdodfiittisoanggtoretghaetiounse-inodfupceydreqnueeanschaedpflrouboerefsocrence

Methods

Results

Conclusion