Synthesis of chain end functionalized fluoropolymers by functional borane initiators and application in the exfoliated fluoropolymer/clay nanocomposites
Title of Paper:
Synthesis of chain end functionalized fluoropolymers by functional borane initiators and application in the exfoliated fluoropolymer/clay nanocomposites
Summary:
We have developed a new synthesis route through the combination of functional borane initiators, control
radical polymerization, and termination by radical coupling reaction, which produces telechelic fluoropolymers containing two terminal functional groups. This chemistry is advantaged by its simplicity and mild reaction condition and is applicable to a broad range of fluoromonomers, including VDF, TrFE, CTFE, HFP, etc. (in Supporting Information). The formed chain end functionalized fluoropolymer is an effective polymeric surfactant, which shows high interfacial activity in the exfoliated fluoropolymer/clay nanocomposites. The functional group anchors the polymer chain to the clay interface, and the rest of the unperturbed high molecular weight hydrophoblic and oleophobic fluoropolymer chainsdisliking the hydrophilic clay surfacessexfoliates the clay layer structure. This disordered clay structure is maintained even after further mixing with a neat (unfunctionalized) fluoropolymer that is compatible with the backbone of the chain end functionalized fluoropolymer.
Co-author:
Zhicheng Zhang; Zhiming Wang; T. C. Mike Chung
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