Synthesis of poly(n-alkyl acrylamides) and evaluation of nanophase separation effects by temperature-dependent infrared spectroscopy

Abstract Common linear polymers are known to undergo phase changes at the glass-transition temperature ( T g ) and melting point m ). In recent years, it has also been shown that molecules with long aliphatic side chains can give rise a backbone-independent phenomenon, as nanophase separation. This effect describes self-assembly — independent of polymer backbone alkyl into semi-crystalline nanostructures. work presents optimized, gram scale synthesis routes for dodecyl octadecyl acrylamide their respective homopolymers. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments detected broad endothermal signal poly( n -dodecyl acrylamide) − 29 °C narrower, more intense -octadecyl 34 °C. These signals indicate separation M . We undertook first temperature-controlled infrared spectroscopy investigations these materials revealing clear hypsochromic shift C–H stretching above amide I shifts occurred only below results provide further evidence, act independently show is powerful tool monitoring conformational in chains. Graphical abstract