Polystyrene grafted onto high-cis-1,4 polybutadiene backbone via 'living' radical polymerization with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy (TEMPO) radical
Z. S. Yu, Y. Li, Y. R. Wang
Vol. 5., No.10., Pages 911-922, 2011
DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2011.89
DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2011.89
Corresponding author: Z. S. Yu 
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
A stable nitroxide radical (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy, TEMPO) was employed to a grafting polymerization of styrene onto the high-cis-1,4 polybutadiene (PB) rubber initiated by 1,1-bis(tert-butylperoxy)cyclohexane (DP275B). The influence of TEMPO/DP275B ratio on the reaction progress, molecular structure, mechanical performance and fracture behavior of the toughened polystyrenes (PS) was systematically characterized. The results showed that a moderate amount of TEMPO used is favorable to the morphology and properties of the as-prepared products, which fracture with a semi-ductile mode. While increasing TEMPO dosage, both rubber grafting and particle size distribution become weaker, and as a result the material also tends to be very brittle and unstable under impact.
