Synthesis and Functionalization of α-Olefines (6 and 10 Carbons)/Maleic Anhydride Comb-like Copolymers and Their Application in Silica Nanohybrid and Hydrogel

Poly(α-olefins) have non-polar structures and the development of polarity with different functionalities expands their application. The structure, number and size of the branches of the main chain affect the properties and design of new macromolecules. Active groups in α-olefin chains improve their interaction with silica nanoparticles. Furthermore, the amount of crosslinking changes the adsorption properties of hydrocarbon solvents.

The free radical copolymerization of 1-hexene and 1-decene with maleic anhydride was performed under different conditions. The structure and thermal properties of α-olefin (6 and 10 carbon) -maleic anhydride comb-like copolymers with different numbers and sizes of branches were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTGA) methods. The effect of functionalized monomers of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA) and 3-chloro-2-methylpropene (3-C2MP) on the copolymerization reaction and their final structure was investigated. Polymerization reactions of styrene, maleic anhydride and 1-hexene were performed in the presence of silica nanoparticles. New hydrogels were synthesized with esterified poly1-hexene/ maleic anhydride with 2-decanol. The steps of nanohybrid and hydrogel synthesis and their thermal properties were characterized by FTIR and TGA/DTGA methods.

Various functionalized 1-hexane and 1-decen/ maleic anhydride comb-like copolymers with different molecular structures were synthesized and characterized. The results showed that by increasing the branch size of α-olefin from 4 to 8 carbons, the reaction conversion percent decreases and the branched of 2-EHA comonomer increases the reaction conversion. In the obtained nanocomposite, there is an interaction between maleic anhydride monomer and silica nanoparticles. Styrene/1-hexene/maleic anhydride nanocomposites containing 4 and 5.6% by weight of nanosilica were also synthesized. Structural design including functionalities and branch size, and also reaction conditions have a great influence on the properties of synthesized macromolecules and hydrogels.