Synthesis of a photoactive gemini surfactant and its use in AGET ATRP miniemulsion polymerisation and UV curing

Abstract

A novel photoactive gemini surfactant was easily synthesised in high yields. The multi-functional molecule can be used as a gemini surfactant, a benzophenone type photoinitiator, and as an ATRP initiator. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-poly(allyl methacrylate) (PMMA-b-PAMA) were prepared using the photoactive gemini surfactant as an ATRP initiator under soap-free miniemulsion polymerisation conditions. Kinetic results of the miniemulsion polymerisation of methyl methacrylate (MMA) indicate that the reaction has controlled/living characteristics. UV curing was performed by irradiation of the linear PMMA-b-PAMA polymer, in which PMMA-b-PAMA containing a benzophenone moiety functioned as a macromolecular photoinitiator.

Synthesis of cardanol-based photo-active SET-LRP initiator and its application to preparation of UV-cured resin

“…In this work, 4,4 -di(bromomethyl)benzophenone (I ) was first prepared by the photo-promoted dibromination of 4,4 -dimethylbenzophenone in a good yield following the published method (Cheng et al, 2014b). In the next step, dibromide I reacted with cardanol in the presence of anhydrous K 2 CO 3 to afford ether II with a moderate yield (Fig.…”

“…Methyl methacrylate (IU-PAC name: methyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate) (MMA) was washed with 5 % aqueous NaOH then distilled under reduced pressure to remove the inhibitor prior to use. 4,4 -Di(bromomethyl)benzophenone (IUPAC name: bis[4-(bromomethyl)phenyl]methanone) (I) was prepared from 4,4 -dimethylbenzophenone, aqueous HBr, and UHP following the previously published method (Cheng et al, 2014b).…”

“…This approach is preferable to thermal curing in terms of energy saving, safety, high reaction rate, and has found a wide range of industrial applications such as coatings, oil inks, adhesives, dental materials (Ugur et al, 2014;Cheng et al, 2014b;Lee et al, 2011;Yang et al, 2010). However, smallmolecular photo-initiators are usually applied to the UV-curing process and these possess disadvantages such as ready volatility and motion which increase the hazards for workers and affect the properties of the resins.…”

Experimental Investigation of Emulsion AGET ATRP of MMA in a Stirred Tank Reactor

“…Zhou et al, (2011) conducted AGET ATRP of MMA in an ionic liquid base microemulsion using CuBr2/ BPMOA (N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)octylamine) as catalyst Cheng et al, (2014). reported the AGET ATRP of MMA in miniemulsion using photoactive gemini surfactant as initiator (photoinitiator) and surfactant.…”