Poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(butyl acrylate) Block Copolymers Synthesized via RAFT Emulsion Polymerization

A new trithiocarbonate with carboxyl group was synthesized and used as chain transfer agent (CTA) in reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and butyl acrylate (BA). A series of well-controlled PMMA-b-PBA diblock copolymers with different monomer compositions were prepared by RAFT polymerization in emulsion within several hours. The thermal properties of block copolymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Experimental results showed that the monomer compositions of block copolymers had important influence on their thermal properties. The morphologies of polymer particles with different monomer compositions obtained during polymerization were observed by TEM.