Silica/methacrylate class II hybrid: telomerisation vs. RAFT polymerisation
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Macon, ALB
Kasuga, T
Becer, CR
Jones, JR
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Inorganic–organic co-networks prepared by a sol–gel method are a promising class of materials due to their unique physical and biological properties, especially when covalent bonds are formed between the networks. The polymer structure and composition can have a drastic effect on the synthesis and properties. Here, we compared reversible addition fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) with telomerisation (TL), for the synthesis of the polymer, to investigate whether refining the polydispersity of polymethacrylate could lead to better and more tailorable properties. 3-(Methoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate was used as a model and successfully synthesised by RAFT and TL using 2-cyano-2-propyl benzodithioate and thioglycerol as chain transfer agents, respectively. The polydispersity of the polymer had a significant effect on the sol–gel process with an increase in gelation time as the polydispersity decreased. Direct correlation was made between the gelation time and Mz, suggesting that the gelation of hybrids followed the percolation model. However, regarding the properties, it is a tie. No statistical difference in silica release and mechanical properties of the resulting hybrids was observed, regardless of the polydispersity of the polymer.
Date Issued
2017-05-11
Date Acceptance
2017-05-07
Citation
Polymer Chemistry, 2017, 8 (23), pp.3603-3611
ISSN
1759-9954
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
3603
End Page
3611
Journal / Book Title
Polymer Chemistry
Volume
8
Issue
23
Copyright Statement
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2017
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000403216500007&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
EP/I020861/1
EP/M019950/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Polymer Science
FRAGMENTATION CHAIN TRANSFER
FREE-RADICAL POLYMERIZATION
3-(TRIMETHOXYSILYL)PROPYL METHACRYLATE
MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES
METHYL-METHACRYLATE
TRIBLOCK COPOLYMERS
TRANSFER CONSTANT
SELF-ASSEMBLIES
BEHAVIOR
INDENTATION
Publication Status
Published