Synthesis of High Molecular Weight PS Homopolymers with Low Polydispersity by RAFT Polymerization

High molecular weight polystyrene(PS) polymers with low polydispersity were successfully synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer(RAFT)polymerization using cumyl dithiobenzoate(CDB)as transfer agent,AIBN as initiator.The optimization was weight average-molecular weight(w) 465 000 g/mol,number-average molecular weight(n) 333 000 g/mol and polydispersity index(PDI)1.40.Influence of the chain transfer agent concentration,polymerization temperature and reaction time on the polydispersity and molecular weight was studied.The PS polymers prepared by RAFT method are able to meet requirement of engineering material.