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Synthesis and characterisation of low density porous polymers by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)

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Abstract

PolyHIPE foams with densities of 0.05–0.1 g cm−3 have been prepared by the polymerisation of the continuous phase of high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). The internal aqueous phase in HIPE occupies more than 74 % of the total volume, which leads to highly porous and open-cell morphologies. In this paper a method of preparing polyHIPE foams by using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisation has been investigated. Polystyrene-co-polymethyl methacrylate (PS-co-PMMA) has been studied and by using a variety of characterisation methods, it was possible to compare the polyHIPEs prepared by the conventional free radical polymerisation (FRP) to those by RAFT polymerisation. Scanning electron microscopy images have confirmed the presence of a cellular polyHIPE structure. PS-co-PMMA polyHIPEs made by RAFT have significantly narrower molecular weight distribution with values for the polydispersity index (PDI) for PS-co-PMMA between 1.46 and 2.08 compared to 4.68 observed by FRP. The effects of different concentrations of the RAFT agent on structure, glass transition temperature (T g) and PDI of PS-co-PMMA polyHIPE foams are presented.

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Acknowledgments

This work was carried out on the auspices of Atomic Weapons Establishments plc. UK.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G1 1XL, UK

    Kimberley L. Anderson

  2. School of Chemistry, St. Andrews University, North Haugh, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, Scotland

    Wigen Nazarov & Christopher S. A. Musgrave

  3. Atomic Weapons Establishment, Reading, RG7 6DP, UK

    Nick Bazin & Douglas Faith

Authors
  1. Kimberley L. Anderson
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  2. Wigen Nazarov
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  3. Christopher S. A. Musgrave
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  4. Nick Bazin
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  5. Douglas Faith
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Correspondence to Wigen Nazarov.

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Anderson, K.L., Nazarov, W., Musgrave, C.S.A. et al. Synthesis and characterisation of low density porous polymers by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT). J Radioanal Nucl Chem 299, 969–975 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-013-2632-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-013-2632-6

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