Gluconolactone-derivated polymers: Copolymerization, thermal properties, and their potential use as polymeric surfactants

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Part A, Polymer chemistry Polymer chemistry, 2011-01, Vol.49 (2), p.526-536
• Main Authors: Bordegé, Vanesa, Muñoz-bonilla, Alexandra, León, Orietta, Cuervo-rodríguez, Rocío, Sánchez-chaves, Manuel, Fernández-García, Marta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acrylates; Applied sciences; copolymerization; emulsion polymerization; Exact sciences and technology; functional particles; glycopolymer; Glycopolymers; Mathematical models; Organic polymers; physicochemical properties; Physicochemistry of polymers; polymeric surfactants; Polymerization; Polymers with particular properties; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Reproduction; Surfactants; Thermal properties; Thermogravimetric analysis
• ISSN: 0887-624X; 1099-0518; 1099-0518
• DOI: 10.1002/pola.24467

Statistical glycopolymers based on gluconolactone have been prepared by classical radical polymerization and followed by 1H NMR in situ. The kinetic behavior of this system in terms of global rate constant has been qualitatively studied. The variation of cumulative feed and copolymer composition with conversion has also been analyzed, showing a diminishment of both as the reaction progresses. The monomer reactivity ratios have been estimated using the Mayo‐Lewis terminal model and extended Kelen–Tüdös equation, being rHEMAG = 1.41 ± 0.06 and rMA = 0.42 ± 0.05. The thermal properties have been examined by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The glass transition and the thermal degradation temperatures of glycopolymers increase as hydrophilic component decreases. In addition, the solution properties of the water‐soluble glycopolymers have been investigated, observing the formation of small micelles. Finally, the potential of these glycopolymers as polymeric surfactants has been proved by the performance of emulsion polymerization of methyl acrylate. The resulting particles are stable and with low polydispersity, decreasing the particle size as the methyl acrylate content increases in the glycopolymer surfactant. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011 Amphiphilic statistical glycopolymers bearing gluconolactone moieties were synthesized by conventional radical polymerization, one of the most widely used in industry. The composition of the glycopolymer was varied in a wide range of delivering copolymers with different grades of amphiphilicity. The obtained glycopolymers were used as stabilizer in the emulsion polymerization of methyl acrylate, exhibiting relatively good surfactant properties, which depend on the glycopolymer composition. Furthermore, incorporation of these glycopolymers (containing carbohydrate in the open‐chain form) on the poly(methyl acrylate) latex particles imparts antifouling properties to the polymer particles and hence to the polymer coatings.