Synthesis of reactive copolymers with peroxide functionality for cross‐linking water‐soluble polymers

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2023-01, Vol.140 (1), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Serdiuk, Vitalii, Shevchuk, Oleh, Tetiana, Kovalenko, Bukartyk, Natalya, Tokarev, Viktor
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acrylamide; Aqueous solutions; Chemical synthesis; Colloid chemistry; Copolymerization; Copolymers; cross‐linked films; Kinetics; Macromolecules; Maleic anhydride; Materials science; Monomers; peroxide copolymers; Polymers; Polyvinyl alcohol; radical copolymerization; surface activity; Surface tension; Thermal analysis; Thermal decomposition; water‐soluble polymers
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.53254

A series of reactive copolymers with peroxide functionality (RCPFs) were synthesized via radical copolymerization of monomer mixtures in an organic solvent comprised of a peroxide monomer 5‐(tert‐butyl peroxy)‐5‐methylhex‐1‐en‐3‐yne, acrylamide, maleic anhydride, and butyl methacrylate. Peroxide functionality allows the RCPFs to initiate a variety of radical processes, including cross‐linking of organic polymers. Hydrophilic monomer subunits (acrylamide and maleic anhydride) within the RCPF macromolecules promote cross‐linking of water‐soluble polymers. We aimed to investigate RCPF comonomer ratio and its effects on copolymerization kinetics and composition, as well as physico‐chemical and colloidal properties. We also evaluated and characterized the kinetic parameters of the thermal decomposition of peroxide moieties in the synthesized RCPF. Findings revealed that RCPF possessed surface‐active properties and reduced surface tension at its aqueous solution–air interface. The data indicated that the decomposition process complied with the first‐order kinetics, and complex thermal analysis confirmed the presence of peroxide moieties. RCPFs' ability to cross‐link water‐soluble polymers was demonstrated on poly(acrylamide) and poly(vinyl alcohol).