The design and synthesis of difunctional chain transfer agents and their subsequent use in the manufacture of ABA block copolymers was investigated. The polymerisations of methyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate and n-butyl acrylate and the kinetics of their polymerizations when using a difunctional chain transfer agent were studied. Block extension experiments were performed in order to produce ABA block copolymers. Alternative strategies are explored for the synthesis of ABA block copolymers, by preparation of macro chain transfer agents through the modification of the end groups of commercially available homo- and alternating telechelic polymers bearing hydroxy end groups. The synthesis of functional chain transfer agents bearing azide groups, for potential use in block copolymer synthesis was investigated. The thermal stability of a variety of chain transfer agents was assessed for the purposed of determining their suitability for use at elevated temperatures.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:578556 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Legge, Thomas Martyn |
| Publisher | University of Leeds |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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