EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R47356/01
Title: Chain Transfer to Polymer in Free-Radical Polymerisations
Principal Investigator: Lovell, Professor PA
Other Investigators:
Heatley, Dr F
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Materials
Organisation: University of Manchester, The
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 November 2001 Ends: 31 July 2004 Value (£): 94,047
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing Chemicals
Related Grants:
GR/R47363/01
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Our previous research has shown that chain transfer to polymer occurs extensively in free-radical polymerisations of vinyl ester and acrylate monomers, the resulting branches having significant effects on the properties of the polymers produced. Although this research has been extensive, Important Issues remain for clarification, two of which are addressed in this proposal: (i) evaluation of the relative contributions from intra-molecular and inter-moleCular chain transfer to polymer (which give short- and long-chain branches, respectively) under different polymerisation conditions; and (ii) systematic study of the effects of side-group size and bulkiness on the extent of chain transfer to polymer.The first of these issues will be studied for vinyl acetate and methyl acrylate by carrying out carefully controlled polymerizations in bulk and solution using (A) protonated monomer in the presence of preformed deuterated polymer and (B) deuterated monomer in the presence of preformed protonated polymer with systematic changes in the respective concentrations and percent monomer conversions. The second issue will be investigated by studying: (a) emulsion homopolymerisation of a range of acrylate monomers with systematic variations in side-group size and bulkiness; and (b) emulsion copolymerisation of vinyl acetate with vinyl versatates. In all cases, 13C NMR spectroscopy will be used to determine quantitatively the level d branching and, hence, the extent of chain transfer to polymer.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.man.ac.uk