Facile synthesis and characterization of highly branched polystyrene by self-condensing atom transfer radical polymerization

ABSTRACT

To simply prepare hyperbranched polystyrene with dendritic structure for optical and electronic applications, the copper-mediated self-condensing atom transfer radical polymerization of 4-(2-bromopropionyl)oxy styrene has been attempted. Given the unequal reactivity of two propagating species owing to different substituents which stabilize radicals, the influence of polymerization conditions on the structure of dendritic polystyrene were investigated. Higher polymerization temperature leaded to the lower functionality of Br in the branched polystyrene due to HBr elimination. As the catalyst to monomer ratio increased, the degree of branching of the prepared polystyrene was enhanced by increasing the reaction chance of the less stabilized propagating site.

KEYWORDS:

• Atom transfer radical polymerization
• hyperbranched polymer
• polystyrene
• self-condensing vinyl polymerization

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2016R1D1A1B03931997).