Micro/nanodroplets of the liquid metal (LM) eutectic Ga-In alloy (EGaIn) were employed in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in organic solvents with low ppm (parts per million) loading of Cu catalysts. ATRP in the presence of EGaIn produced well-defined polymers (dispersity <1.1) that could be easily separated from EGaIn via centrifugation. Voltammetric analysis revealed that EGaIn micro/nanodroplets reduced CuII complexes to CuI complexes, which acted as ATRP activators. A key distinction from previously reported LM-mediated radical polymerizations is that this process did not require external forces, such as ultrasound sonication. EGaIn droplets also activated dormant alkyl bromide species. However, this reaction was ∼6 orders of magnitude slower than the corresponding activation by CuI complexes, resembling SARA (supplemental activators and reducing agents) ATRP.

Cu-Catalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization in the Presence of Liquid Metal Micro/Nanodroplets

Lorandi F.;
2021

Abstract

Micro/nanodroplets of the liquid metal (LM) eutectic Ga-In alloy (EGaIn) were employed in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in organic solvents with low ppm (parts per million) loading of Cu catalysts. ATRP in the presence of EGaIn produced well-defined polymers (dispersity <1.1) that could be easily separated from EGaIn via centrifugation. Voltammetric analysis revealed that EGaIn micro/nanodroplets reduced CuII complexes to CuI complexes, which acted as ATRP activators. A key distinction from previously reported LM-mediated radical polymerizations is that this process did not require external forces, such as ultrasound sonication. EGaIn droplets also activated dormant alkyl bromide species. However, this reaction was ∼6 orders of magnitude slower than the corresponding activation by CuI complexes, resembling SARA (supplemental activators and reducing agents) ATRP.
2021
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Lorandi2021 - Macromol - EGaIn SARA.pdf

non disponibili

Tipologia: Published (publisher's version)
Licenza: Accesso privato - non pubblico
Dimensione 3.11 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
3.11 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/3417661
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 20
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 20
  • OpenAlex ND
social impact