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Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of PMMA and PNIPAM based block copolymers by using PEG based macro RAFT agents

Journal of Chemical Sciences volume 134, Article number: 49 (2022) Cite this article

Abstract

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) based macro-RAFT agents were synthesized by the condensation reaction of PEG (Mn: 2000 Da and 8000 Da) with the carboxylic acid functionalized trithiocarbonate [S-Dodecyl-S′-(α,α′-dimethyl-α″-acetic acid) tritiocarbonate (DDMAT)] using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC)/4-(dimethylamino) pyridine (DMAP) as catalyst at room temperature. Then, N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers were polymerized, respectively, using synthesized new macro-RAFT agents and N, N′-azo bis isobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator. In all RAFT polymerizations, dispersity values were found in the range of 1.04 to 1.47, which showed that RAFT polymerization was applied successfully. The synthesized polymers were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-NMR), Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) techniques. The fractured surface images of PEG-b-PMMA block copolymers were obtained by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). SEM images PEG-b-PMMA block copolymers have shown that the copolymers have a microporous structure. In addition, the swelling ratios and LCST values of the PEG-b-PNIPAM block copolymers were measured which were found to be very high. The lower critical temperature values of the copolymers are closer to that of the PNIPAM homopolymer, 32 °C, indicating its usability in drug delivery systems.

Graphical abstract

Macro-RAFT agents were successfully synthesized in high yield by reacting S-dodecyl-S′-(α,α′-dimethyl-α″-acetic acid) tritiocarbonate (DDMAT) (R-2) with polyethylene glycols (Mn: 2000 Da and 8000 Da, respectively). Subsequently, the monomers methyl methacrylate (MMA) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) were polymerized respectively using synthesized macro-RAFT agents. SEM images of PEG-b-PMMA block copolymers have shown that the copolymers have a microporous structure. The critical temperature values of the PEG-b-PNIPAM block copolymers are closer to that of the PNIPAM homopolymer, 32 °C, indicating their usability in drug delivery systems.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Bülent Ecevit University Research Fund, Turkey (BAP project no: 2016-72118496-04).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, 67100, Zonguldak, Turkey

    Yetkin Senemoğlu, Baki Hazer, Hülya Arslan & Şadi Şen

  2. Department of Aircraft Airframe Engine Maintenance, Kapadokya University, 50420, Ürgüp, Nevşehir, Turkey

    Baki Hazer

  3. Department of Chemistry, Düzce University, 81620, Düzce, Turkey

    Abdulkadir Alli & Sema Alli

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  1. Yetkin Senemoğlu
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  2. Baki Hazer
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Correspondence to Sema Alli.

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Senemoğlu, Y., Hazer, B., Arslan, H. et al. Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of PMMA and PNIPAM based block copolymers by using PEG based macro RAFT agents. J Chem Sci 134, 49 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12039-022-02047-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12039-022-02047-z

Keywords

  • RAFT polymerization
  • PEG based macro-RAFT agent
  • Amphiphilic block
  • Thermoresponsive block copolymer