High Molecular Weight and Low Dispersity Polyacrylonitrile by Low Temperature RAFT Polymerization

Authors

Jeremy Moskowitz, University of Southern Mississipi
Brooks Abel, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Charles L. McCormick, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Jeffrey S. Wiggins, University of Southern MississippiFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-15-2016

Department

Polymers and High Performance Materials

Abstract

High molecular weight polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with low dispersity has been successfully synthesized utilizing reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. A comprehensive study was performed to understand the influence of reaction temperature, RAFT agent structure, and [M]₀:[CTA]₀[I]₀ on the polymerization kinetics, molecular weight, and dispersity. Enhanced control is attributed to reduction of side reactions by conducting the polymerization at lower temperature, and optimizing the radical exchange between active and dormant states via appropriate selection of RAFT agent and initiator. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 553–562

Publication Title

Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry

Volume

54

Issue

4

First Page

553

Last Page

562

Recommended Citation

Moskowitz, J., Abel, B., McCormick, C. L., Wiggins, J. S. (2016). High Molecular Weight and Low Dispersity Polyacrylonitrile by Low Temperature RAFT Polymerization. Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry, 54(4), 553-562.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/15185