The activation and deactivation rate constants in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) were measured using model compounds. The activation rate constants were determined using HPLC or GC under the kinetic isolation condition achieved by trapping the generated radical with 2,2,6,6tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy (TEMPO). The deactivation rate constants were measured by trapping 1-phenylethyl radicals with TEMPO in a competitive reaction. The effects of several parameters in ATRP systems were examined, including alkyl groups, ligands, transferred groups, and solvents. The data obtained were consistent with ATRP kinetics and provided further quantitative insights into understanding the ATRP processes.

This article reports the synthesis of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of active initiators from well-defined silica nanoparticles and the use of these ATRP initiators in the grafting of poly(n-butyl acrylate) from the silica particle surface. ATRP does not require difficult synthetic conditions, and the process can be carried out in standard solvents in which the nanoparticles are suspended. This "grafting from" method ensures the covalent binding of all polymer chains to the nanoparticles because polymerization is initiated from moieties previously bound to the surface. Model reactions were first carried out to account for possible polymerization in diluted conditions as it was required to ensure the suspension stability. The use of n-butyl acrylate as the monomer permits one to obtain nanocomposites with a hard core and a soft shell where film formation is facilitated. Characterization of the polymer-grafted silica was done from NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, dynamic light scattering, and DSC.

The homopolymerization and the copolymerization of ethylene with functionalized 5-norbornen-2-yl derivatives by the nickel catalyst system L(and Ni(COD)2 (bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)nickel) produces polymers with high molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions. A typical ethylene polymerization reaction proceeds under 100 psi of ethylene and at 20 °C, using 1 (0.34 mM) and Ni(COD)2 (0.83 mM). Likewise, under similar conditions, the copolymerization of ethylene with 5-norbornen-2-yl acetate (3) (0.15 M) for 90 min by 1 (0.67 mM) and Ni(COD)2 (1.67 mM) produced a high molecular weight functionalized polyethylene bearing ester functionalities. 5-Norbornen-2-ol (0.15 M) underwent a similar copolymerization with ethylene for 20 min to yield a hydroxy-functionalized polyethylene. Narrow molecular weight distributions, coupled with the increase of polymer molar mass with time, are consistent with a quasi-living polymerization process in the case of ethylene homopolymerization and ethylene copolymerization with 3.

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Tailoring the interaction between surfaces and nanoparticles (NPs) affords great opportunities for a range of applications, including sensors, information storage, medical diagnostics, and filtration membranes. In addition to controlling local ordering and microscale patterning of the NPs, manipulating the temporal factors determining the strength of the interaction between NP and surface enables dynamic modulation of these structural characteristics. In this contribution we demonstrate robust polymer brush-NP hybrids that exhibit both reversible swelling and reversible NP adsorption/desorption. Polymer brush functionality is tailored through post-functionalization of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) brushes on flat solid substrates with alpha-amine conjugates ranging from perfluoro alkanes to poly(ethylene glycol) of varying molecular weights. The type of functionality controls NP affinity for the surfaces. In the case of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), the molecular weight (MW) of the PEG dictates adsorption and desorption phenomena. Higher MW PEG chains possess increased binding affinity toward NPs, which leads to higher relative Au-NP densities on the PHEMA-g-PEG brushes and concurrent sluggish desorption of NPs by thermal stimulus. Adsorption and desorption phenomena are further modulated by NP size yielding a system where adsorption and desorption are controlled by a delicate balance between the competitive energetics of polymer brush chelation versus solvation.

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Block copolymerization of ethylene with 5-norbornen-2-yl acetate (1) by the nickel catalyst system [N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)propanamide]Ni(eta1-CH2Ph)(PMe3) (2) and Ni(COD)2 (bis(1,4-cyclooctadiene)nickel) (3) produces a variety of block copolymer structures that demonstrate microphase separation. Typical block copolymerizations were carried out in an autoclave charged with a solution of the catalyst mixture and 1 (0.15 M) in toluene. The autoclave was sealed and exposed to PC2H4 = 50 psi for a period of time (T1). A pressure jump to PC2H4 = 1100 psi was then applied and the reaction allowed to proceed for another predetermined interval (T2). Independent experiments were performed to isolate and examine the molecular weight and comonomer composition of the first block. Narrow molecular weight distributions and the increase of polymer molecular weight with increases in T1 or T2 are consistent with a product in which an initial block is formed at low ethylene pressures and quantitatively converted to a block copolymer by the jump to high pressure. Transmission electron microscopy confirms that the materials are microphase separated.

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