Institution: | Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece;Institute of Chemical Engineering and High Temperature Chemical Processes, ICE/HT-FORTH, P.O. Box 1414, 26504 Patras, Greece |
Abstract: | This article is dealing with the design of novel segmented polymers comprising homopolymer and random copolymer building blocks designated as block-random. This type of polymeric materials can be prepared through macromolecular engineering by using controlled polymerization methods. By replacing a homopolymer block with a random one, in block copolymer topologies, further tuning of the copolymer properties can be achieved. The present article highlights the recent developments on block-random segmented macromolecules, bearing building blocks of tunable properties (e.g. thermo-sensitivity (LCST), hydrophobicity) and exhibiting responsive behavior in aqueous environments. Furthermore, preliminary novel results regarding pH-sensitive segmented macromolecules of various topologies, bearing random polyampholyte blocks among others, are also demonstrated and discussed. |