Thesis supervisor: Ákos Kuki
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Department of Applied Chemistry, E516/A, E517/A, E518, E105 Abbreviation of location of studies: E518
Description of the research topic:
Copolymers are widely applied materials since their properties can be tuned by their molecular weight and composition. However, the synthesis of copolymers is challenging since the monomers can react at different rates. There are different polymerization techniques that allow the design of the structure during the polymerization, one of the most relevant is sequential polymerization for the synthesis of block copolymers. However, in many cases the copolymerization processes require one-pot synthesis. In such case, the copolymer structure depends on the reactivity of applied monomers, usually a gradient block structure forms under such conditions. Applying the sequential synthesis timing is important since near the complete conversion of the first monomer should be achieved, otherwise gradient chain is produced or side reactions can undergo after the consumption of monomers. In order to understand the structure, the kinetics of copolymerization must be explored and the reactivity ratios must be determined. Owning these parameters, the programmed synthesis allows the production of well-defined structures with unique properties. To synthesize copolymers with narrow distribution, controlled polymerization process is required such as the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The reactivity ratios can be determined by the Kelen-Tüdős method for two monomers, however, the method was extended also for three monomers.
The goal of the research is to explore the reactivity ratios of different monomers (mainly acrylamide derivatives) to understand their copolymerization. Furthermore, the applied parameters will be used for the design and preparation of different copolymer structures by applying one-pot synthesis. The work requires the analysis of copolymers and intermediates in copolymerization mixtures (MALDI-TOF MS and ESI-TOF MS). For the kinetic analysis method development (HPLC-MS) is required to follow the conversion of monomer units. The result of the project will be the mapping of the copolymerization of the applied monomers.
Required language skills: english Number of students who can be accepted: 1
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