Polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA, Mn = 2080 or 950) macromonomer was investigated as a function of monomer concentration and applied pressure in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The polymerizations were carried out at different [PEGMA]0 ranging from 50 to 300 mM. Polymerizations were successfully conducted with [PEGMA]0 ranging from 75 to 300 mM, whereas polymerization with [PEGMA]0=50 mM showed no monomer conversion, indicating macromonomer concentration below equilibrium monomer concentration ([M]e). ATRP under high pressure (HP ATRP, 3 k bar) shifts [M]e to lower level than under ambient pressure, allowing polymerization at [PEGMA]0 = 50 mM and resulting in high monomer conversion (>99%) and polymers with narrow molecular weight distribution.

Synthesis of PEG-based star-like and bottlebrush polymers via a �grafting-through� method by ATRP

248th National Meeting (2014)

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