Abstract
We present a novel generating function (GF) method for the self-condensing vinyl polymerization (SCVP) system with any initial distribution of preexisted polymers. Such a method was proven to be especially useful to investigate the semi-batch SCVP system allowing a sequence of feeding operations during the polymerization. Consequently, the number-, weight-, and z-average molecular weights as well as dispersity index of hyperbranched polymers can be explicitly given, which are determined by predetermined feeding details and conversions in each polymerization step. These analytical results are further confirmed by the corresponding Monte Carlo simulations. Therefore, the present GF method has provided a unified treatment to the semi-batch SCVP system. Accordingly, hyperbranched polymers with desired properties can be prepared by designing feeding details and presetting conversions at each step based on the present GF method.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Tomalia, D. A.; Baker, H.; Dewald, J.; Hall, M.; Kallos, G.; Martin, S.; Roeck, J.; Ryder, J.; Smith, P. Dendritic macromolecules: synthesis of starburst dendrimers. Macromolecules 1986, 19, 2466–2468.
Kim, Y. H.; Webster, O. W. Water soluble hyperbranched polyphenylene: “a unimolecular micelle?” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1990, 112, 4592–4593.
Fréchet, J. M. J.; Henmi, M.; Gitsov, I.; Aoshima, S.; Leduc, M. R.; Grubbs, R. B. Self-condensing vinyl polymerization: an approach to dendritic materials. Science 1995, 269, 1080–1083.
Gao, C.; Yan, D. Y. Hyperbranched polymers: from synthesis to applications. Prog. Polym. Sci. 2004, 29, 183–275.
Voit, B. I.; Lederer, A. Hyperbranched and highly branched polymer architectures-synthetic strategies and major characterization aspects. Chem. Rev. 2009, 109, 5924–5973.
Gao, C.; Yan, D. Y.; Frey, H. Hyperbranched polymers: synthesis, properties, and applications. John Wiley, Inc.: Hoboken, 2011.
Zheng, Y. C.; Li, S. P.; Weng, Z. L.; Gao, C. Hyperbranched polymers: advances from synthesis to applications. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2015, 44, 4091–4130.
Flory, P. J. Molecular size distribution in three dimensional polymers. VI. Branched polymers containing A-R-Bf−1 type units. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1952, 74, 2718–2723.
Matyjaszewski, K.; Gaynor, S. G.; Kulfan, A.; Podwika, M. Preparation of hyperbranched polyacrylates by atom transfer radical polymerization. 1. Acrylic AB* monomers in “living” radical polymerizations. Macromolecules 1997, 30, 5192–5194.
Matyjaszewski, K.; Gaynor, S. G.; Müller, A. H. E. Preparation of hyperbranched polyacrylates by atom transfer radical polymerization. 2. Kinetics and mechanism of chain growth for the self-condensing vinyl polymerization of 2-((2-bromopropionyl)oxy)ethyl acrylate. Macromolecules 1997, 30, 7034–7041.
Simon, P. F. W.; Radke, W.; Müller, A. H. E. Hyperbranched methacrylates by self-condensing group transfer polymerization. Macromol. Rapid Commun. 1997, 18, 865–873.
Simon, P. F. W.; Müller, A. H. E. Kinetic investigation of self-condensing group transfer polymerization. Macromolecules 2004, 37, 7548–7558.
Dong, B. T.; Dong, Y. Q.; Du, F. S.; Li, Z. C. Controlling polymer topology by atom transfer radical self-condensing vinyl polymerization of p-(2-bromoisobutyloylmethyl)styrene. Macromolecules 2010, 43, 8790–8798.
Pugh, C.; Singh, A.; Samuel, R.; Bernal Ramos, K. M. Synthesis of hyperbranched polyacrylates by a chloroinimer approach. Macromolecules 2010, 43, 5222–5232.
Simon, P. F. W.; Müller, A. H. E. Synthesis of hyperbranched and highly branched methacrylates by self-condensing group transfer copolymerization. Macromolecules 2001, 34, 6206–6213.
Hong, C. Y.; Pan, C. Y.; Huang, Y.; Xu, Z. D. Synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched polyacrylates in the presence of a tetrafunctional initiator with higher reactivity than monomer by self-condensing vinyl polymerization. Polymer 2001, 42, 6733–6740.
Hong, C. Y.; Pan, C. Y. Synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched polyacrylates in the presence of a tetrafunctional initiator with higher reactivity than monomer by self-condensing vinyl polymerization. Polymer 2001, 42, 9385–9391.
Georgi, U.; Erber, M.; Stadermann, J.; Abulikemu, M.; Komber, H.; Lederer, A.; Voit, B. New approaches to hyperbranched poly(4-chloromethylstyrene) and introduction of various functional end groups by polymer-analogous reactions. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2010, 48, 2224–2235.
Lu, Y.; Nemoto, T.; Tosaka, M.; Yamago, S. Synthesis of structurally controlled hyperbranched polymers using a monomer having hierarchical reactivity. Nat. Commun. 2017, 8, 1863.
Mori, H.; Seng, D. C.; Lechner, H.; Zhang, M.; Müller, A. H. E. Synthesis and characterization of branched polyelectrolytes. Preparation of hyperbranched poly(acrylic acid) via self-condensing atom transfer radical copolymerization. Macromolecules 2002, 35, 9270–9281.
Mori, H.; Walther, A.; André, X.; Lanzendörfer, M. G.; Müller, A. H. E. Synthesis of highly branched cationic polyelectrolytes via self-condensing atom transfer radical copolymerization with 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate. Macromolecules 2004, 37, 2054–2066.
Muthukrishnan, S.; Jutz, G.; Andre, X.; Mori, H.; Müller, A. H. E. Synthesis of hyperbranched glycopolymers via self-condensing atom transfer radical copolymerization of a sugar-carrying acrylate. Macromolecules 2005, 38, 9–18.
Muthukrishnan, S.; Mori, H.; Müller, A. H. E. Synthesis and characterization of methacrylate-type hyperbranched glycopolymers via self-condensing atom transfer radical copolymerization. Macromolecules 2005, 38, 3108–3119.
Liu, Q.; Xiong, M.; Cao, M.; Chen, Y. Preparation of branched polyacrylonitrile through self-condensing vinyl copolymerization. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2008, 110, 494–500.
Aydogan, C.; Ciftci, M.; Yagci, Y. Hyperbranched polymers by type II photoinitiated self-condensing vinyl polymerization. Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2016, 37, 650–654.
Muthukrishnan, S.; Erhard, D. P.; Mori, H.; Müller, A. H. E. Synthesis and characterization of surface-grafted hyperbranched glycomethacrylates. Macromolecules 2006, 39, 2743–2750.
Yang, H.; Wang, Z.; Cao, L.; Huang, W.; Jiang, Q.; Xue, X.; Song, Y.; Jiang, B. Self-condensing reversible complexation-mediated copolymerization for highly branched polymers with in situ formed inimers. Polym. Chem. 2017, 8, 6844–6852.
Aydogan, C.; Ciftci, M.; Kumbaraci, V.; Talinli, N.; Yagci, Y. Hyperbranced polymers by photoinduced self-condensing vinyl polymerization using bisbenzodioxinone. Macromol. Chem. Phys. 2017, 218, 1700045.
Alfurhood, J. A.; Bachler, P. R.; Sumerlin, B. S. Hyperbranched polymers via RAFT self-condensing vinyl polymerization. Polym. Chem. 2016, 7, 3361–3369.
Müller, A. H. E.; Yan, D. Y.; Wulkow, M. Molecular parameters of hyperbranched polymers made by self-condensing vinyl polymerization. 1. Molecular weight distribution. Macromolecules 1997, 30, 7015–7023.
Yan, D. Y.; Müller, A. H. E.; Matyjaszewski, K. Molecular parameters of hyperbranched polymers made by self-condensing vinyl polymerization. 2. Degree of branching. Macromolecules 1997, 30, 7024–7033.
Radke, W.; Litvinenko, G.; Müller, A. H. E. Effect of core-forming molecules on molecular weight distribution and degree of branching in the synthesis of hyperbranched polymers. Macromolecules 1998, 31, 239–248.
Yan, D. Y.; Zhou, Z. P.; Müller, A. H. E. Molecular weight distribution of hyperbranched polymers generated by self-condensing vinyl polymerization in presence of a multifunctional initiator. Macromolecules 1999, 32, 245–250.
Litvinenko, G. I.; Simon, P. F. W.; Müller, A. H. E. Molecular parameters of hyperbranched copolymers obtained by self-condensing vinyl copolymerization. 1. Equal rate constants. Macromolecules 1999, 32, 2410–2419.
Litvinenko, G. I.; Simon, P. F. W.; Müller, A. H. E. Molecular parameters of hyperbranched copolymers obtained by self-condensing vinyl copolymerization. 2. Non-equal rate constants. Macromolecules 2001, 34, 2418–2426.
Litvinenko, G. I.; Müller, A. H. E. Molecular weight averages and degree of branching in self-condensing vinyl copolymerization in the presence of multifunctional initiators. Macromolecules 2002, 35, 4577–4583.
Cheng, K. C. Kinetic model of hyperbranched polymers formed by self-condensing vinyl polymerization of AB* monomers in the presence of multifunctional core molecules with different reactivities. Polymer 2003, 44, 877–882.
He, X. H.; Liang, H. J.; Pan, C. Y. Monte Carlo simulation of hyperbranched copolymerizations in the presence of a multifunctional initiator. Macromol. Theor. Simul. 2001, 10, 196–203.
He, X. H.; Liang, H. J.; Pan, C. Y. Self-condensing vinyl polymerization in the presence of a multifunctional initiator with unequal rate constant: Monte Carlo simulation. Polymer 2003, 44, 6697–6706.
Zhou, Z. P.; Yan, D. Y. A general model for the kinetics of self-condensing vinyl polymerization. Macromolecules 2008, 41, 4429–4434.
Zhou, Z. P.; Yan, D. Y. Effect of multifunctional initiator on self-condensing vinyl polymerization with nonequal molar ratio of stimulus to monomer. Macromolecules 2009, 42, 4047–4052.
Zhao, Z. F.; Wang, H. J.; Ba, X. W. A statistical theory for self-condensing vinyl polymerization. J. Chem. Phys. 2009, 131, 074101.
Zhao, Z. F.; Wang, H. J.; Ba, X. W. Statistical properties for the self-condensing vinyl polymerization in presence of multifunctional core initiators. Polymer 2011, 52, 854–865.
Zhou, Z. P.; Wang, G. J.; Yan, D. Y. Kinetic analysis of self-condensing vinyl polymerization with unequal reactivities. Chin. Sci. Bull. 2008, 53, 3516–3521.
Hong, X. Z.; Zhao, Z. F.; Wang, H. J.; Ba, X. W. The radius of gyration for a ternary self-condensing vinyl polymerization system. Sci. China Chem. 2015, 58, 1875–1863.
Tobita, H. Markovian approach to self-condensing vinyl polymerization: distributions of molecular weights, degrees of branching, and molecular dimensions. Macromol. Theor. Simul. 2015, 24, 117–132.
Tobita, H. Hyperbranched polymers formed through self-condensing vinyl polymerization in a continuous stirred-tank reactor: 1. Molecular weight distribution. Macromol. Theor. Simul. 2018, 27, 1800027.
Tobita, H. Hyperbranched polymers formed through self-condensing vinyl polymerization in a continuous stirred-tank reactor: 2. Branched architecture. Macromol. Theor. Simul. 2018, 27, 1800028.
Tobita, H. Detailed structural analysis of the hyperbranched polymers formed in self-condensing vinyl polymerization. Macromol. Theor. Simul. 2019, 28, 1800061.
Cheng, K. C. Effect of feed rate on structure of hyperbranched polymers formed by stepwise addition of AB2 monomers into multifunctional cores. Polymer 2003, 44, 1259–1266.
Cheng, K. C.; Chuang, T. H.; Chang, J. S.; Guo, W. J.; Su, W. F. Effect of feed rate on structure of hyperbranched polymers formed by self-condensing vinyl polymerization in semibatch reactor. Macromolecules 2005, 38, 8252–8257.
Wang, R.; Luo, Y. W.; Li, B. G.; Sun, X. Y.; Zhu, S. P. Design and control of copolymer composition distribution in living radical polymerization using semi-batch feeding policies: a model simulation. Macromol. Theor. Simul. 2006, 15, 356.
Wang, W. J.; Wang, D. M.; Li, B. G.; Zhu S. P. Synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched polyacrylamide using semibatch reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Macromolecules 2010, 43, 40624069.
Wang, D. M.; Li, X. H.; Wang, W. J.; Gong, X.; Li, B. G.; Zhu, S. P. Kinetics and modeling of semi-batch RAFT copolymerization with hyperbranching. Macromolecules 2012, 45, 28–38.
Wang, D. M.; Wang, W. J.; Li, B. G.; Zhu, S. P. Semibatch RAFT polymerization for branched polyacrylamide production: effect of divinyl monomer feeding policies. AICHE J. 2013, 59, 1322–1333.
Cheng, K. C. Effect of feed rate of monofunctional monomers on structure of hyperbranched copolymers formed by self-condensing vinyl copolymerization in semibatch reactor. Eur. Polym. J. 2014, 60, 98–105.
Ilchev, A.; Pfukwa, R.; Hlalele, L.; Smit, M.; Klumperman, B. Improved control through a semi-batch process in RAFT-mediated polymerization utilizing relatively poor leaving groups. Polym. Chem. 2015, 6, 7945–7948.
Cheng, K. C.; Lai, W. J. Effect of feed rate of end-capping molecules on structure of hyperbranched polymers formed from monomers A2 and B4 in semibatch process. Eur. Polym. J. 2017, 89, 339–348.
Burgers, J. M. The nonlinear diffusion equation. Springer: Dordrecht, 1974.
Logan, J. D. An introduction to nonlinear partial differential equations. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: New Jersey, 2008.
Stanley, R. P. Enumerative combinatorics. Cambridge University Press: New York, 1999.
Kantorovich, L. Mathematics for natural scientists II: advanced methods. Springer: Switzerland, 2016.
Yang, Y. L.; Zhang, H. D. Monte Carlo methods in polymer science. Fudan University Press: Shanghai, 1993.
Gillespie, D. T. Stochastic simulation of chemical kinetics. Annu. Rev. Phys. Chem. 2007, 58, 35–55.
Acknowledgments
This work was financially supported by the Project for Talent Engineering of Hebei Province (No. A2016015001). Dr. Gu is gratefully acknowledged the Project for Top Young Talent of Hebei Province and that for general colleges of Hebei Province (No. BJ2017017).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Electronic Supplementary Information
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gu, F., Li, JT., Hong, XZ. et al. A Unified Theoretical Treatment on Statistical Properties of the Semi-batch Self-condensing Vinyl Polymerization System. Chin J Polym Sci 39, 1510–1520 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-021-2603-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-021-2603-2