Sustainable ABA triblock methacrylate copolymers incorporating both high and low Tg terpene-derived monomers

• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111567
• Publication Date: 2022-09-09T06:03:40Z
• Authors: Rachel L. Atkinson; Matthew Elsmore; Sean Smith; Morgan Reynolds-G...; Paul D. Topham; Daniel T.W. Toolan; Matthew J. Derry; Olivia Monaghan; Vincenzo Taresco; Derek J. Irvine; Robert A. Stockman; Davide S.A. De Fo...; Steven M. Howdle
• Keywords: ABA Triblocks; Nopinyl; Terpenes; 01 natural sciences; Biorenewable monomers; RAFT; 0104 chemical sciences

We report the synthesis of novel terpene-based monomers: nopinyl acrylate and methacrylate, from naturally abundant β-pinene. A very high Tg value was observed for poly(nopinyl methacrylate) when synthesised by free radical polymerisation, and well-defined polymers have been produced via RAFT polymerisation. This exciting new high Tg material shows promise as a hard block in thermoplastic elastomers. ABA triblock copolymers have been synthesised which also incorporate a low Tg renewable soft block, poly(tetrahydrogeraniol methacrylate), using a divergent, difunctional RAFT polymerisation method. Initial phase separation behaviour and adhesive properties have been investigated to highlight the potential of these copolymer materials as renewably sourced thermoplastic elastomers.