Journal article
Synthesis of perfectly alternating copolymers for polymers of intrinsic microporosity
J Zhang, J Jin, R Cooney, Q Fu, GG Qiao, S Thomas, TC Merkel
Polymer Chemistry | Published : 2015
DOI: 10.1039/c5py00570a
Abstract
Copolymer's properties are controlled not only by co-monomers' composition but also their sequence distribution along the chain. We hereby report a strategy to the synthesis of perfectly alternating PIMs copolymer, an important class of material for gas separation membrane. We achieve this copolymer microstructure through two-pot synthesis process via ABA trimer intermediate. For comparison, both alternating and statistical copolymers with same composition were prepared and characterized with 1H and 13C NMR, FT-IR, MALDI-ToF, GPC, TGA, DSC and WAXD. The present work offers new method for repeating unit sequence control in step growth polymerization system.
Grants
Funding Acknowledgements
J.J. would like to thank The University of Auckland Faculty Research Development Fund (FRDF), Materials Accelerator and current Product Accelerator programme from the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for their financial assistance. We also thank to Dr Shailesh Goswami (Department of Chemistry, The University of Otago) for GPC measurements.