Synthesis of highly effective polyester/polyacrylate compatibilizers using switchable polymerization

Abstract Multiblock copolymers (MBCPs) comprising polyester and polyacrylate segments offer an efficient strategy for enhancing the performance of polyester and polyolefin blends but synthesis and structural modification of these MBCPs remains challenging. Here, we propose a method for synthesizing...

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Main Authors: Xiang-Yu Fu, Tian-Jun Yue, Xiao-Hui Guo, Xiao-Bing Lu, Wei-Min Ren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57449-7
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author Xiang-Yu Fu
Tian-Jun Yue
Xiao-Hui Guo
Xiao-Bing Lu
Wei-Min Ren
author_facet Xiang-Yu Fu
Tian-Jun Yue
Xiao-Hui Guo
Xiao-Bing Lu
Wei-Min Ren
author_sort Xiang-Yu Fu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Multiblock copolymers (MBCPs) comprising polyester and polyacrylate segments offer an efficient strategy for enhancing the performance of polyester and polyolefin blends but synthesis and structural modification of these MBCPs remains challenging. Here, we propose a method for synthesizing MBCPs via the switchable polymerization of epoxides, cyclic anhydrides, and acrylates using a dinuclear Co-complex, wherein the anhydride acts as a switcher. Detailed studies on the copolymerization process reveal that the successful synthesis of MBCPs is achieved by intramolecular bimetallic synergistic catalysis, producing MBCPs with controlled molecular weights and narrow dispersities. Owing to the high compatibility of the monomers, this method allows for producing MBCPs with diverse structures and block numbers. Moreover, the resulting MBCPs effectively enhance the performance of the polyester and polyacrylate blends, improving the toughness of polyesters. Studies on microphase separation show that MBCPs can effectively compatibilize immiscible blends, highlighting their potential as compatibilizers.
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issn 2041-1723
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spelling doaj-art-0ec327c2ca7a4590bdc0177916cbf4072025-08-20T02:59:58ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-03-0116111010.1038/s41467-025-57449-7Synthesis of highly effective polyester/polyacrylate compatibilizers using switchable polymerizationXiang-Yu Fu0Tian-Jun Yue1Xiao-Hui Guo2Xiao-Bing Lu3Wei-Min Ren4State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Frontiers Science Center for Smart Materials, Dalian University of TechnologyAbstract Multiblock copolymers (MBCPs) comprising polyester and polyacrylate segments offer an efficient strategy for enhancing the performance of polyester and polyolefin blends but synthesis and structural modification of these MBCPs remains challenging. Here, we propose a method for synthesizing MBCPs via the switchable polymerization of epoxides, cyclic anhydrides, and acrylates using a dinuclear Co-complex, wherein the anhydride acts as a switcher. Detailed studies on the copolymerization process reveal that the successful synthesis of MBCPs is achieved by intramolecular bimetallic synergistic catalysis, producing MBCPs with controlled molecular weights and narrow dispersities. Owing to the high compatibility of the monomers, this method allows for producing MBCPs with diverse structures and block numbers. Moreover, the resulting MBCPs effectively enhance the performance of the polyester and polyacrylate blends, improving the toughness of polyesters. Studies on microphase separation show that MBCPs can effectively compatibilize immiscible blends, highlighting their potential as compatibilizers.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57449-7
spellingShingle Xiang-Yu Fu
Tian-Jun Yue
Xiao-Hui Guo
Xiao-Bing Lu
Wei-Min Ren
Synthesis of highly effective polyester/polyacrylate compatibilizers using switchable polymerization
Nature Communications
title Synthesis of highly effective polyester/polyacrylate compatibilizers using switchable polymerization
title_full Synthesis of highly effective polyester/polyacrylate compatibilizers using switchable polymerization
title_fullStr Synthesis of highly effective polyester/polyacrylate compatibilizers using switchable polymerization
title_full_unstemmed Synthesis of highly effective polyester/polyacrylate compatibilizers using switchable polymerization
title_short Synthesis of highly effective polyester/polyacrylate compatibilizers using switchable polymerization
title_sort synthesis of highly effective polyester polyacrylate compatibilizers using switchable polymerization
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57449-7
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AT xiaobinglu synthesisofhighlyeffectivepolyesterpolyacrylatecompatibilizersusingswitchablepolymerization
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