Temporal Control in Mechanically Controlled Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization Using Low ppm of Cu Catalyst

Abstract

A mechanically controlled atom transfer radical polymerization (mechanoATRP) was successfully carried out in an ultrasound bath with low ppm of copper catalyst. The polymerization of methyl acrylate in the presence of CuBr₂/tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine catalyst using ultrasound as an external stimulus was temporally controlled by switching on-off ultrasound agitation. The first order kinetics was observed during ultrasonication. The experimental molecular weights agreed well with the theoretical values and displayed narrow molecular weight distribution. The effects of various types of piezoelectric BaTiO₃ nanoparticles, loadings of nanoparticles, and targeted degrees of polymerization were studied.