Synthesis and characterization of a series of novel graft copolymers by using “grafting through” method

Figures & data

Figure 1. Scheme 1: Reaction pathway for the synthesis of the RAFT agent.

Figure 2. Scheme 2: Reaction outline for the synthesis of poly(3-hydroxypropionate) with vinyl end-group (P3HP).

Figure 3. Scheme 3: Reaction pathway in the synthesis of poly(α-methyl-β-alanine) with vinyl end-group (PmBA) macromonomer.

Figure 4. Scheme 4: Reaction scheme of the synthesis of P(2HPA) homopolymer.

Table 1. Synthesis of poly(2-hydroxypropyl acrylate) homopolymer and poly(2HPA-g-EG) graft copolymer by RAFT polymerization.

Code	2-Hydroxypropyl acrylate (g)	Poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (g)	Yield (g)	Yield (wt %)
HO	2.00	-	1.9796	98.9
V1	1.90	0.10	1.6986	84.9
V2	1.80	0.20	1.7617	88.0
V3	1.60	0.40	1.6145	80.7

Polymerization temperature: 80 °C, polymerization time: 24 hours, formic acid: 8 mL, RAFT agent: 0.0531 g, AIBN: 0.008 g.

Table 2. Synthesis of poly(2HPA-g-mBA) graft copolymer by RAFT polymerization.

Code	2-Hydroxypropyl acrylate (g)	Poly(alpha-methyl beta-alanine) (g)	Yield (g)	Yield (wt %)
N1	1.90	0.11	1.9857	98.7
N2	1.80	0.22	1.9012	93.9
N3	1.60	0.43	2.0112	98.9

Polymerization temperature: 80 °C, polymerization time: 24 hours, formic acid: 8 mL, RAFT agent: 0.0531 g, AIBN: 0.008 g.

Figure 5. Scheme 5: Reaction outline in the synthesis of poly(2HPA-g-EG) graft copolymer.

Figure 6. Scheme 6: Reaction pathway in the synthesis of poly(2HPA-g-mBA) graft copolymer.

Figure 7. Scheme 7: Reaction scheme of the synthesis of poly(2HPA-g-3HP) graft copolymer.

Table 3. Synthesis of poly(2HPA-g-3HP) graft copolymer by RAFT polymerization.

Code	2-Hydroxypropyl acrylate (g)	Poly(3-hydroxypropionate) (g)	Yield (g)	Yield (wt %)
P1	1.90	0.10	1.7894	89.4
P2	1.80	0.20	1.8421	92.1
P3	1.60	0.40	1.8967	94.8

Polymerization temperature: 80 °C, polymerization time: 24 hours, formic acid: 8 mL, RAFT agent: 0.0531 g, AIBN: 0.008 g.

Figure 8. Static light scattering (SLS) measurement of poly(2-hydroxypropyl acrylate).

Figure 9. FT-IR spectra of poly(2-hydroxypropyl acrylate) homopolymer and poly(2HPA-g-EG) graft copolymer.

Figure 10. ¹H-NMR spectra of poly(2HPA-g-EG) graft copolymer.

Figure 11. FT-IR spectra of poly(2HPA-g-mBA) graft copolymer.

Figure 12. ¹H-NMR spectra of poly(2HPA-g-mBA) graft copolymer.

Figure 13. FT-IR spectra of poly(2HPA-g-3HP) graft copolymer.

Figure 14. ¹H-NMR spectra of poly(2HPA-g-3HP) graft copolymer.

Figure 15. DSC thermograms of poly(2-hydroxypropyl acrylate) homopolymer, poly(2HPA-g-EG) graft copolymer, poly(2HPA-g-mBA) graft copolymer, and poly(2HPA-g-3HP) graft copolymer.

Figure 16. TGA thermograms of poly(2-hydroxypropyl acrylate) homopolymer, poly(2HPA-g-EG) graft copolymer, poly(2HPA-g-mBA) graft copolymer, and poly(2HPA-g-3HP) graft copolymer.