(522e) Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(styrene)-b-Poly(4-fluorostyrene)-b-Poly(isobutylene) Using Atom Transfer and Cationic Polymerization

This investigation studied the synthesis and characterization of a novel multiblock copolymer using atom transfer polymerization (ATRP) and cationic polymerization. The block copolymer proposed was made of poly(styrene), poly(4-fluorostyrene) and poly(isobutylene). The diblock copolymer of poly(styrene)-b-poly(4-fluorostyrene) was synthesized using ATRP. The third block, poly(isobutylene), was incorporated using cationic polymerization. This methodology was proposed as an alternative to obtain an advanced fluorinated, elastomeric and glassy polymer capable of being functionalized for several energy applications such as direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC).The multi block copolymer properties were measured using different characterization techniques such as gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The polymer composition was monitored with Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Significant differences were observed in the thermal and physical properties after the block copolymer was synthesized. Finally, the resulting polymers could be sulfonated to create ionic fluoropolymers that can be used as proton exchange membranes for fuel cell applications.