Synthesis, properties, and degradation behaviors of novel polysulfone-polysiloxane multi-block copolymers. (6th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Mengdong; Huang, Yue; Cao, Jinfeng; Feng, Shengyu
• Is Part Of: Polymer. Volume 212(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-06
• Subjects: Polysulfone -- Polysiloxanes -- Block copolymers -- Hydrosilylation reaction -- Recyclable polymers; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.123134
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3861

Abstract

Abstract: The design and application of polysulfone–polysiloxanes block copolymers remains as a big challenge mainly owing to limited synthetic methods of sulfone prepolymers. In this contribution, vinyl-terminated poly (siloxane sulfone) (PSS) was applied as the hard segment to obtain novel polysulfone-polysiloxane multi-block copolymers by hydrosilylation with hydride-terminated polysiloxane (PDMS-H) for the first time. The new vinyl-functionalized sulfone prepolymers were prepared by ring-opening polymerization of benzylsulfonyl macroheterocyclosiloxane (BSM) using divinyltetramethyldisiloxane as end-capping reagent and KOH as a catalyst, which differs from the traditional condensation methods. Based on the polysulfone prepolymers, a better control of the molecular weight of the obtained polymers was achieved, affording relatively low PDI. Their morphological properties were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), which revealed a mild microphase separation in the copolymers. Their surface and fluorescence properties can be effectively tuned by changing the PSS content. Besides, the obtained copolymers exhibited high hydrolytic and thermal-oxidative stability, and underwent a controlled and effective degradation into the starting benzylsulfonyl macroheterocyclosiloxane with a high conversion of 85% in the presence of KHSO4 at room temperature. This strategy may provide new ideas for the design and application of new polysulfone–polysiloxanes block copolymers. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Vinyl-functionalized sulfone prepolymers were prepared by ring-opening polymerization for the first time. Poly (siloxane sulfone)–polysiloxane block copolymers were synthesized by hydrosilylation. The obtained copolymers exhibited high hydrolytic and thermal-oxidative stability. The block copolymers can be degraded into starting macrocyclic monomer with high conversion of 85%.