Chap 7 Copolymer
Chap 7 Copolymer
Chap 7 Copolymer
-A-A-B-B-B-B-A-B-A-A-B-B-B-A-A-A-A-B-A-
The properties are usually different from the two related
homopolymers
Often formed by free radical polymerization.
-A-B-A-B-A-B-A-B-A-
H H
CH2 C CH2 CH2 CH2 C
x y z
HC CH
Block polymerization by living anionic polymerization
O O H H
C AX C N By N
n
Example: High-impact polystyrene (HIPS)
polystyrene backbone with chains of polybutadiene
grafted to the backbone
Generally, can be synthesized by one of the following
techniques:
a) ‘Grafting-from’ Technique
A polymer carrying active sites is used to initiate the
polymerization of a second monomer
Advantage: very efficient
Disadvantage: usually not possible to predict the
molecular structure of the graft copolymer and the
number of grafts formed
Advantages:
Allows structural characterization of the graft copolymer
formed because the backbone and the side-chain are both
synthesized separately
If the molecular weight of each chains and their overall
compositions are known, it is possible to determine the
number of grafts per chain and the average distance
between two successive grafts on the backbone
a) ‘Grafting-through’ Technique
In this technique, polymerization with a macromer is
involved.
A macromer is a low-molecular weight polymer chain with
unsaturation on at least one end.
A growing polymer chain can react with an unsaturated site,
resulting in the graft copolymer
Stryrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR)
Polystyrene
chemically inert and is quite resistant to alkali, halide
acids and oxidizing & reducing agents
brittle at low temperature
Commercial SBR is produced by either emulsion or
solution copolymerization
Emulsion copolymerization is either a cold (41 oF) or
hot (122 oF).
produced SBR with difference MW and MW
distribution, microstructure.
The solution copolymerization process involves the use
of alkyllithium catalyst.
Solution SBR generally has a higher MW, narrow MW
distribution, and higher cis-diene content than emulsion
SBR
It has good abrasion resistance and good aging stability
when protected by additives, and is widely used in car
tires, where it is blended with natural rubber.
Styrene – Butadiene – Styrene Block Copolymer
(SBS rubber)