Modified poly(butyl methacrylate- b -glycidyl methacrylate) dispersant for solvent-based paint by Reverse Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Block copolymers of butyl methacrylate (BMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) were synthesized using reverse atom transfer radical polymerization. Azobisisobutyronitrile/copper (II) bromide/pentamethyldiethylenetriamine was used as a precursor. These copolymers had a constant block length but variable molecular weights of 7500, 10,000, and 15,000, respectively. The copolymers were further reacted with methyl ethanol amine to form dispersible modified poly(BMA-b-GMA) (MPBGA). The synthesized block copolymers were structurally evaluated by gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The ability of additives to function as wetting and dispersing agents was evaluated by analyzing their mechanical, optical, chemical, and rheological properties in solvent-based paints at different pigment volume concentrations. The effects of the chain length of copolymers on dispersibilty and optical properties were studied. The optical properties of paints suggested that the dispersibilty of MPBGA increased with an increase in the molecular weight of the copolymer.