ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Synthesis of a photoactive gemini surfactant and its use in AGET ATRP miniemulsion polymerisation and UV curing

Chuan-Jie Cheng, Xiong-Xiong Bai, Wu-Qin Fan, Hai-Ming Wu, Liang Shen, Qing-Hua Huang, and Yuan-Ming Tu

Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Fenglin Street, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330013, China

E-mail: chengcj530@gmail.com

Abstract: A novel photoactive gemini surfactant was easily synthesised in high yields. The multi-functional molecule can be used as a gemini surfactant, a benzophenone type photoinitiator, and as an ATRP initiator. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-poly(allyl methacrylate) (PMMA-b-PAMA) were prepared using the photoactive gemini surfactant as an ATRP initiator under soap-free miniemulsion polymerisation conditions. Kinetic results of the miniemulsion polymerisation of methyl methacrylate (MMA) indicate that the reaction has controlled/living characteristics. UV curing was performed by irradiation of the linear PMMA-b-PAMA polymer, in which PMMA-b-PAMA containing a benzophenone moiety functioned as a macromolecular photoinitiator.

Keywords: gemini surfactant – photoinitiator – activator generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerisation (AGET ATRP) – miniemulsion polymerisation – soap-free

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.2478/s11696-013-0420-y

Chemical Papers 68 (1) 136–144 (2014)