The ability of block copolymers (BCPs) to spontaneously organize into microphase segregated structures in solution and thin films are the origin of many useful and potential applications. Dually-reactive BCPs comprised of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) and deuterated poly(vinyl dimethyl azlactone) (PVDMAd6), denoted PGMA-b-PVDMAd6, were utilized to generate surface scaffolds in which film thickness, surface grafting density, and functionality can be tailored. The reactive pendant group of PVDMAd6 was functionalized with a benzyl alcohol derivative bearing a cyclic amidine group “4-(N-methyltetrahydropyrimidine) benzyl alcohol” (MTHPBA). Amidines are highly basic functional moieties which have been shown to be able reversibly capture CO2 at room temperature. The ability of the functionalized polymer film to reversibly capture and release CO2 was investigated by attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), and neutron reflectometry. ATR-FTIR was utilized to monitor the peak at 1650 cm-1 which is attributed to the formation of a resonance stabilized amidinium structure [-N-CH=N+- ↔ -N+=CH-N-] upon CO2 binding. Changes in film mass as a function CO2 binding was measured by QCM. In addition, preliminary neutron reflectometry data indicate changes to the overall film structure upon CO2 binding and release.

Reversible CO2 capture from an amidine functionalized polymer thin film

251st National Meeting (2016)

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