Functionalized polymer networks: synthesis of microporous polymers by frontal polymerization

Abstract

A series of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)-ethylene dimethacrylate (EGDM) copolymers of varying compositions were synthesized by free-radically triggered thermal frontal polymerization (FP) as well as by suspension polymerization (SP) using azobisisobutyronitrile [AIBN] as initiator. The two sets of copolymers were characterized by IR spectroscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry, for determination of epoxy number and specific surface area. Frontal polymerization was more efficient, yielding greater conversions at much shorter reaction times. The self-propagating frontal polymerization also generates microporous material with narrow pore size distribution. It yields higher internal pore volume and surface area than suspension polymerization, surface morphologies are, however, inferior.

Exhaustive Analysis of Frontal Copolymerization of Functionalized Monovinyl and Divinyl Monomers

“…Similarly, interpenetrating networks and functionalized networks were reported by Pojman et al 20. and Pujari et al.,10, 11 respectively. Likewise, the effect of convection on the propagating front was analyzed by Bowden et al 21.…”

“…Comparison with suspension polymerization : In our previous report, we compared front polymerization (FP) to suspension polymerization (SP) without a porogen and at a AIBN concentration of 2 mol % 10. 11 Herein, more detailed analysis and comparisons are presented. We compared the GMA–EGDM and HEMA–EGDM polymerizations at AIBN and BPO concentrations of 4 mol %.…”

“…carried out an extensive study of the macrokinetics and dynamics of FP in which properties such as front velocity, conversion, and the effect of different system components were studied 2–6. Over the last couple of years, the technique has been applied to diverse fields such as polymer nanocomposites,7 superabsorbant polymers,8, 9 functionalized crosslinked copolymer networks,10, 11 copolymers,12, 13 and the consolidation of stone 14…”

“…45 We have previously presented preliminary results of the synthesis of functionalized crosslinked copolymer networks of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)/glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and ethylene dimethacrylate (EGDM) by FP and compared these networks with those formed by suspension polymerization (SP) 10. 11 It was shown that FP leads to porosity in the matrix, even in the absence of a porogen, as a result of the gases evolved (decomposition of azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)) and the osmotic pressure of the monomers. High temperature in FP led to the formation of narrow pore size and narrow pore‐size distribution.…”

Hydrophobic Polymer-Supported Lewis Acid for Solid-Phase Synthesis

“…Year 2016 | Volume 4 | Issue 1 | Page [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] limitation. Result demonstrated the higher concentration of aluminium and mercury metal for 5% CLD which was attenuated for higher CLD polymer.…”