Loading…

Metal‐Free, Light‐Catalyzed ATRP For the Synthesis of Functional PVDF‐Based Block Copolymers and Their Characterization

The synthesis and characterization of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)‐based block copolymers using a metal‐free light‐catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) approach are described. A PVDF macroinitiator with C─Br bonds at both ends of the chain is synthesized, and an organic photored...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Macromolecular chemistry and physics 2024-12, Vol.225 (23), p.n/a
Main Authors: Altomare, Aldo, Sognane, Rouguy, Fiorito, Alice, Loos, Katja
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The synthesis and characterization of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)‐based block copolymers using a metal‐free light‐catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) approach are described. A PVDF macroinitiator with C─Br bonds at both ends of the chain is synthesized, and an organic photoredox catalyst (OPRC) is used to control the process. The metal‐free process expands the possibilities for the synthesis and application of PVDF‐based block copolymers, as it allows the use of monomers that is previously incompatible with classical ATRP due to their interaction with metal catalysts. The synthesized block copolymers are characterized structurally and thermally as powder materials and in thin films. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) analysis revealed that the crystalline phase of PVDF changes when thin films are formed. Specifically, the disappearance of the FT‐IR peaks related to the gamma phase and the presence of characteristic peaks related to the alpha and beta phases indicate that film formation rearranged the PVDF chains, leading to changes in their crystalline phases. These PVDF‐based block copolymers have unique properties, including high thermal stability, chemical resistance, and piezoelectricity, making them potential candidates for use in various fields, such as biomedical engineering, energy storage, and electronic devices. The metal‐free light‐catalyzed ATRP of PVDF‐based block copolymers is investigated, with a focus on the kinetics of the polymerization of telechelic PVDF with styrene, 4‐vinylpyridine, and N‐isopropylacrylamide. The resulting block copolymers are thermally characterized, and the crystalline phase of PVDF is analyzed using FT‐IR. After processing the block copolymers into thin films, the crystalline phase of PVDF is re‐examined to assess how processing affected its crystalline structure.
ISSN:1022-1352
1521-3935
DOI:10.1002/macp.202400251