Synthesis and characterization of copolymers of methyl methacrylate with N-arylitaconimides via AGET-ATRP

Abstract

This study presents the synthesis of copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with N-arylitaconimides (NAIs) [such as N-(4-chlorophenyl) itaconimide, N-phenylitaconimide, N-(4-methylphenyl)itaconimide and N-(4-methoxyphenyl)itaconimide] with architecture Poly(NAI-ran-MMA)-b-poly(NAI) via activators generated by electron transfer-atom transfer radical polymerization process. The structural characterization of these copolymers was carried out using IR, 1H-NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The molecular characterization was carried out using gel permeation chromatography and showed increased molecular weight of block copolymers as compared to the macroinitiator used for its synthesis. The thermal characterization was carried out using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. An increase in the molecular weight and T sub(g) of Poly(NAI) block wasobserved as the electron releasing capacity of the substituent on aromatic ring of the pendant group is increased.