Open Access
May 1, 2014
Abstract
In this work, we reported the synthesis of copolymers of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) via single-electron transfer-living radical polymerization using CCl 4 as an initiator and Zn(0)/2,2′-bipyridine (Bpy)/FeCl 2 as catalyst complexes. The polymerization was carried out at 25°C. The polymerization proceeded in a living fashion based on “nascent” Fe(0) as the source of the transition metal, which was prepared by Zn(0)/FeCl 2 in situ. The kinetic experimental results showed that the copolymerization is first-order kinetics. The molecular weights increased linearly with respect to monomer conversion, and narrow polydispersity index values were obtained. The effect of the molar ratio of [Zn(0)] 0 /[FeCl 2 ] 0 on polymerization was investigated. In addition, the polymerization carried out in different solvents was also investigated. The obtained random copolymer was characterized by 1 H NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The living characteristic was demonstrated by chain extension experiment.