Rational Design of an Amorphous Poly(2-oxazoline) with a Low Glass-Transition Temperature: Monomer Synthesis, Copolymerization, and Properties
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Kempe, Kristian; Jacobs, Stefan; Lambermont-Thijs, Hanneke M. L.; Fijten, Martin W. M.; Hoogenboom, Richard; Schubert, Ulrich S.
- Abstract:
- A new poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline) having a branched side chain, namely, 2-(3-ethylheptyl)-2-
oxazoline (EHOx), was synthesized. The microwave-assisted homopolymerization as well as the copolymerization
with 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (EtOx) are reported, whereby the determination of the reactivity ratios
indicates the occurrence of a random polymerization. Further studies were performed regarding the thermal
and the surface properties. p(EHOx) showed a glass transition of -6 C, whereas no melting temperature
could be detected, representing the amorphous poly(2-oxazoline) with the lowest reported Tg to date.
Furthermore, the systematic random copolymerization with EtOx in the range from 0 to 100% EHOx
revealed a linear dependence of Tg with composition as well as a complex dependence of the surface energy on
the composition showing two plateau regimes.
- Year:
- 2010
- Type of Publication:
- Article
- Journal:
- Macromolecules
- Volume:
- 43
- Pages:
- 4098 - 4104