Synthesis and characterization of comb-type graft copolymers by redox polymerization and "click" chemistry method

Abstract

The synthesis of poly(epichlorohydrin-g-methyl methacrylate) [poly(ECH-g-MMA)] comb-type graft copolymers were carried out by use of a "click" chemistry to graft terminally propargyl poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA-propargyl) to poly(epichlorohydrin) azido (PECH-N3). For this purpose, PECH-N3 was synthesized by using poly(epichlorohydrin) and sodium azide. PMMA-propargyl was obtained by reaction of methyl methacrylate and propargyl alcohol via redox polymerization technique. By using PECH-N3 and PMMA-propargyl, the comb-type graft copolymers were obtained. Characterization of the modified homopolymers and the comb-type graft copolymers was performed by using FT-IR, 1H-NMR, SEM, GPC, and elemental analysis techniques. Thermal transitions and degradation features of the comb-type graft copolymers were investigated by using DSC and TGA methods. Spectroscopic and thermal analyses revealed that both group modifications and coupling reactions were successfully achieved.