Synthesis and Properties of Star-Shaped Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene via RAFT Polymerization: A Model for a Binder Prepolymer.

ABSTRACT: Fundamental knowledge on how polymer architecture affects curing and material properties of solid rocket motors (SRMs) using hydroxyl-terminated poly-(butadiene) (HTPB) as a prepolymer has historically been based on studies employing impure samples. Herein, we present the synthesis of highly controlled HTPB via reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization and explore how the hydroxyl group content affects viscosity and pot-life. We further examine the kinetics of curing in order to gain a mechanistic insight. The synthesis of these polymers involved the design and preparation of chain-transfer agents, which allowed for star-shaped polymers via the Z-group approach. We demonstrate that increasing the number of hydroxyl groups serves to decrease the pot-life, despit

SUBMITTER: Farrell WS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12631675 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature