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

We report the synthesis of novel terpene-based monomers: nopinyl acrylate and methacrylate, from naturally abundant beta-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.

Automated summary

We reported the synthesis of terpene-based monomers from beta-pinene, which can be used to produce polymers with high Tg values and well-defined structures. The synthesized materials showed promising properties as hard blocks in thermoplastic elastomers, and ABA triblock copolymers incorporating a renewable soft block were also successfully synthesized using a difunctional RAFT polymerization method. The initial phase separation behavior and adhesive properties of these copolymers were investigated, highlighting their potential as renewably sourced thermoplastic elastomers.