ABA type block copolymers of poly(monobutyl itaconate) and poly(monocyclohexyl itaconate) with poly(dimethylsiloxane): Synthesis and characterization

Abstract

Monoesters of itaconic acid (monobutyl itaconate and monocyclohexyl itaconate) were synthesized and used as monomers. Poly(monobutyl itaconate) (PMBI) and poly(monocyclohexyl itaconate) (PMCHI) were prepared by free radical polymerization of these monomers using tert-butyl hydroperoxide as initiator. Subsequently, ABA type block copolymers where the A block is PMBI or PMCHI and the B block is poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) were synthesized by free radical polymerization using a macroinitiator (diperoxycarbamate) containing PDMS units. The structural formulae of the products were confirmed by spectral analysis. The molecular weights of the products are not high. Therefore the mechanical and physical properties are rather poor. However, porous structures of copolymers are observed by means of SEM.