Synthesis and characterization of graft copolymers PnBA-g-PS by miniemulsion polymerization

In this paper, poly(n-butyl acrylate)-g-poly(styrene) graft copolymers were synthesized by a macromonomer technique and miniemulsion copolymerization. The PS macromonomers were obtained by an activator generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP) in an emulsion system and subsequent allylation. Then the copolymerization of different PS macromonomers with nBA was carried out in a miniemulsion system, obtaining graft copolymers with different molecular weights. The latex particles and distribution of emulsion AGET ATRP were characterized using laser light scattering. The molecular weight and polydispersity indices of the macromonomers and graft copolymers were analyzed by gel permeation chromatography. In addition, the structural characteristics of the macromonomer and graft copolymers were determined by infrared spectra and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The thermal performance of the copolymers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis as compared with macroinitiators.