Synthesis of PMMAzo polymers
The PMMAzo polymers were obtained by reversible addition-fragmentation
chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization where 4-cyanopentanoic acid
dithiobenzoate (CPADB) and 4,4’-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid) (ACVA) were
used as the RAFT agent and the initiator, respectively. For example,
AzoMA (250.0 mg, 0.63 mol), CPADB (3.26 mg, 0.012 mmol), ACVA (0.656 mg,
0.004 mmol) and dried tetrahydrofuran (1.5 mL) were added into a 5 mL
ampoule bottle. The reaction tube was flame-sealed under an argon
atmosphere after deoxygenated with three freeze thaw cycles. Then the
polymerization was carried out at 70 oC for 9 h.
Polymers of other molecular weights were obtained by changing the molar
ratio of monomers and RAFT reagents.