Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) Of Octadecyl Acrylate

Bulk polymerization and solution polymerization of octadecyl acrylate(ODA) has been conducted successfully by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP).We also prepared ABA triblock colopolymer of styrene and octadecyl acrylate (ODA). The effects of polymerization temperature, amount of catalyst and initiator, reaction time and system molar ratios on the rates of ATRP of ODA was investigated. Molecular weight and moleculer weight distribution of polymer was also discussed in this paper. The apparent propagation rate constants (kpapp) under different conditions were calculated. Polystyrene (X-PSt-X) was further used as macroinitiator for the block copolymerization of styrene and octadecyl acrylate. Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) of triblock copolymers was also arranged for the sake of obtaining aptitude gel material with shape memory function. GPC, 'H-NMR, DSCU X-ray powder diffraction were used to characterize the polymer we prepared. We found that bulk polymerization and solution polymerization of octadecyl acrylate both had the characteristics of " living " / controlled radical polymerization. Solution polymerization could be better controlled than bulk polymerization generally. And the polymer had narrow moleculer weight distribution. When the ratio of [ODA]0:[EBP]0:[FeCl2.4H2O]0:[PPh3]0 was during the range of 100: 1 : 1~1.5: 2~3, reaction was controlled preferably. Block polymerization of styrene and octadecyl acrylate also had the characteristics of " living " / controlled radical polymerization. The ABA triblock copolymers are with narrow moleculer weightdistribution (Mw/Mn=1 .34~ 1.43).