1. College of Material Science and Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, P.R. China;2. School of Resources and Chemical Engineering, Sanming University, Sanming, P.R. China;3. School of Aerospace Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney, Australia
Abstract:
Redox‐initiated reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of 2‐vinylpyridine at room temperature without a conventional reducing agent has been realized in the presence of an oxidizing agent only, i.e., benzoyl peroxide. Well‐defined poly(2‐vinylpyridine) is obtained with a low dispersity (dispersity = Mw/Mn = 1.11) and a conversion efficiency of 41.4% after 24 h at 25 °C. The kinetics, number‐average molecular weight, and dispersities for the polymerization of 2‐vinylpyridine are investigated. The results indicate that the number‐average molecular weight of the poly(2‐vinylpyridine) increases with the monomer conversion while retaining relatively low dispersity (Mw/Mn < 1.20).