Osaka Prefecture University

Success in Synthesizing Multi-functional Polymer Materials Through Chemical Conversions

LastUpDate: January 24, 2022

 a cover picture in Vol. 223

A research group led by Professor Akikazu Matsumoto, and a second-year master’s student Kaito Osada at the Graduate School of Engineering synthesized a new monomer (BHEMA) in which the functional groups in the molecule are pre-protected with tert-butoxycarbonyl (BOC) groups. Furthermore, the researchers succeeded in synthesizing a polymer (PBHEMA) with precisely controlled molecular weight and weight distribution, chain end groups, and sequence structures using a living radical polymerization method.

PBHEMA, a side chain reactive polymer, has been attracting attention as a material for dissociative bonding, and as a pyrolytic polymer that does not produce carbon residue. As such it is being considered for use in various fields including the manufacturing process of multilayer capacitors. This study has made it possible to provide new degradable polymers with various functions by chemically converting them with precisely controlled molecular structures through polymer reactions. Using these new value-added degradable polymers, research is being conducted on their practical applications as disassembly adhesive materials and residue-free binders.

The results of this research were published online in Macromolecular Chemistry & Physics by Wiley on November 10, 2021, with an artwork by Prof. Matsumoto being selected as a cover picture in Vol. 223, No. 1 on January 7, 2022.

artwork by prof.matsumotoIMAGE:

The process of developing BOC-protective functional polymers can be represented in the Japanese board game Sugoroku. Each time various reactions are repeated, the value of the material becomes higher. However, the actual development of materials does not proceed in a straight line, but in a spiral going back and forth, sometimes returning to the starting point. Also, there is no concrete goal in research and development, no matter how far you go.

Paper Information

Journal: Macromolecular Chemistry & Physics
Paper title: RAFT Polymerization of 2-(tert-Butoxycarbonyloxy)ethyl Methacrylate and Transformation to Functional Polymers via Deprotection and the Subsequent Polymer Reactions
DOI: 10.1002/macp.202100336

Contribution to SDGs

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3: Good health and well-being
9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Contact:

Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Prefecture University
Prof. Akikazu MATSUMOTO

E-mail matsumoto[at]chem.osakafu-u.ac.jp *Please change [at] to @.