Synthesis of a graft copolymer of polybutyl acrylate on fish collagen substratum using the RbTe1.5W0.5O6 complex oxide photocatalyst

In order to obtain a graft copolymer of polybutyl acrylate (PBA) on the substratum of emulsified fish collagen, RbTe1.5W0.5O6 complex oxide was used as a photocatalyst under visible light irradiation (λ = 400–700 nm). The emulsion was prepared by mixing the monomer and the aqueous collagen solution in a ratio of 1:2. Next, the catalyst was introduced into the resulting mixture, followed by stirring and ultrasound treatment. Before the reaction, the emulsion was bubbled with argon for 15 min. The reaction was carried out in an argon flow with continuous stirring. The radiation source was a 30 W visible light LED lamp placed at a distance of no more than 10 cm from the reaction mixture. At the end of the reaction, the emulsified organic phase was extracted with toluene, followed by phase isolation. In order to isolate the catalyst, the aqueous part of the solution was centrifuged for 30 min. Subsequently, the powder was repeatedly washed in distilled water at a temperature of 50 °C. The washed catalyst was dried, and the surface of the oxide after emulsion polymerization was examined using a scanning electron microscope. For the PBA–collagen graft copolymer emulsion isolated from the aqueous phase, molecular weight characteristics confirming the formation of a graft copolymer were obtained. It was established that the nitrogen content of amino acid residues in the PBA–collagen graft copolymer is significantly lower than in collagen, which indicates the formation of a graft copolymer. An analysis of films and sponges of PBA–collagen graft copolymer samples by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a new structural-relief organization compared to collagen. A SEM analysis of the RbTe1.5W0.5O6 powder surface after the synthesis of the PBA–collagen graft copolymer detected fragments of polymer macromolecules on its surface. This can be explained by the fact that the catalyst used not only is a source of hydroxyl radicals, but сan also participate in the formation of a polymer on the powder surface due to the abstraction of a hydrogen atom from hydroxyl groups on its surface under the action of a hydroxyl radical.