Synthesis and characterization of saccharide containing block copolymers as a green dispersing agent

Abstract

Polysaccharides and oligosaccharides are widely abundant in nature, and they are renewable and biodegradable materials. When covalently combined with hydrophobic macromolecules, the resulting block copolymers are expected to exhibit interesting microdomain morphologies both in the bulk and in the solution state. In this thesis, maltose-b-polybutadiene (maltose-b-PB) diblock copolymers was synthesized via click reaction between alkyne-functionalized maltose and azide-functionalized PB. The diblock copolymers were then covalently attached to silica particle surfaces and utilized as a dispersing agent to improve distribution of hydrophilic silica particles in hydrophobic rubber matrix. Characterization of the composite material by scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that these maltose-b-PB diblocks can indeed serve as a greener alternative to traditional dispersing agents. Furthermore, maltose-b-farnesol is synthesized as a completely nature-derived diblock molecule and is anticipated to show similar effects to maltose-b-PB as a green dispersing agent.