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Polyisobutylene based thermoplastic elastomers. IV. Synthesis of poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) triblock copolymers usig n-butyl chloride as solvent

Conference ·
OSTI ID:215158
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA (United States)

The polymerization of isobutylene and styrene was studied using the 2-chloro-2,4,4-trimethylpentane/TiCl{sub 4} initiating system in the presence of proton trap in halogenated hydrocarbons as solvents at {approximately}80{degrees}C. The polymerization of isobutylene was found to be living and both homopolymers were soluble in n-butyl chloride. However, side reactions, namely polymerization by direct initiation and intermolecular alkylation are operational in the polymerization of styrene in n-butyl chloride. Polymerization by direct initiation can be minimized by increasing the initiator concentration and intermolecular alkylation can be reduced by quenching the polymerization system when the conversion reaches {approximately}100%. Polystyrene-polyisobutylene-polystyrene triblock copolymers prepared by sequential monomer addition in n-butyl chloride exhibited {approximately}24 MPa tensile strength indicating the virtual absence of diblock contamination.

OSTI ID:
215158
Report Number(s):
CONF-950801--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English