POLYLACTIC ACID (PLA) WITH LOW MOISTURE VAPOR TRANSMISSION RATES BY GRAFTING THROUGH OF HYDROPHOBIC POLYMERS DIRECTLY TO PLA BACKBONE

摘要

Polylactic acid-backbone graft and bottlebrush copolymers with low moisture vapor transmission rates are synthesized by polymerizing a lactide-functionalized hydrophobic macromonomer using ring-opening polymerization (ROP). In some embodiments of the present invention, the macromonomer is a lactide-functionalized hydrophobic polymer that may be synthesized by, for example, polymerizing a hydrophobic monomer (e.g., a fluorinated vinyl monomer such as 2,2,2-trifluroethyl methacrylate) capable of undergoing radical polymerization (e.g., styrenic, vinylic, acrylic, etc.) using a brominated lactide initiator via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The brominated lactide initiator may be 3-bromo-3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione prepared by, for example, reacting lactide with N-bromosuccinimide in the presence of benzoyl peroxide.

主权项

1. A polylactic acid-backbone graft copolymer with a low moisture vapor transmission rate represented by the following formula: wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and wherein HY is a phenyl group functionalized with a fluorine-containing moiety or C(O)OR′, wherein R′ is an alkyl group having one or more carbon atoms functionalized with a fluorine-containing moiety or wherein R′ is a linear or branched alkyl group or cycloalkyl group having one or more carbon atoms.