Precision Synthesis of Acrylic Block Copolymers from Neoteric Lactic Acid-Based Solvents and Other Renewable Chemicals

Identifier:  TDX:3210

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX3210

Authors:  Bensabeh, Nabil

Abstract:
Due to current environmental concerns about the replacement of petroleum-based polymer building blocks, enormous efforts have been made in recent years to develop new bio-based polymers with properties similar to those of non-renewable polymers. In the same vein, in the first part of this doctoral thesis, the precise synthesis of vinilic block copolimers from lactic acid-based green solvents such as ethyl lactate and N,N-dimethyl lactamide, and other biobased renewable chemicals, was conducted using controlled/living radical polymerisation techniques such as SET-LRP, RAFT polymerization and Cu(II)Br2-mediated photopolymerisation. Some of the synthesized AB and ABA block copolymers demonstrated to be competitive as pressure sentive adhesives and non-ionic stabilizers in emulsion radical polimerization reactions. On the other hand, the second part of this doctoral thesis, focused on investigating the role of TREN and Me6-TREN 'mixed-ligand' systems during the SET-LRP of methyl acrylate, both in homogeneous and 'programmed' biphasic systems. It was demonstrated that the 'mixed-ligand' methodology can be used to improve the SET-LRP process because enhances the polymerization rate, monomer conversion and improves molecular weight control.