Open Access Conference Proceedings

This study focuses on the synthesis of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) using a mechanically controlled atom transfer radical polymerization (mechano-ATRP) activated by barium titanate (BaTiO3) or zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as active agents. Polymerization optimizations were performed with a typical ATRP reaction mixture containing monomer, initiator, ligand, and transition metal. The piezoelectric agents were used at the amounts of 0.5 wt.% for ZnO and 4.5 wt.% for BaTiO3 nanoparticles. The presence of oxygen in the reaction mixture was minimized through argon purging. The mechano-ATRP was carried out in an ultrasonic bath under defined conditions, such as intensity, for 5 hours. The reaction kinetics were evaluated using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) by calculating monomer conversion over time. The polydispersity index and molar mass of the polymer were determined using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The aim of this study was to gain control over the mechano-ATRP of GMA to produce a well-defined polymer with a low polydispersity index, specifically below 1.4, and sufficient conversion of around 40%.

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