Charge mosaic membranes: Microdomain fixing of (polystyrene–poly-4-vinylpyridine) sequential copolymers prepared by macromonomer methods

Polystyrene (PST) macromonomers having several allyl groups at the ends were synthesized by the mechanical scission reaction of the main chain in the presence of diallylmalonic acid diethyl ester (DAME). Photosensitive benzophenone groups were introduced on a PST macromonomer molecule by the reaction of these PST macromonomers with benzoyl chloride. The palm-treelike (PST–poly-4-vinylpyridine (P4VP)) sequential copolymers with different compositions were prepared by the radical copolymerization of PST macromonomer with 4VP. The morphological observation of these sequential copolymers was carried out by the transmission electron microscopy. The PST block microdomains were fixed by photocrosslinks (UV irradiation) in the presence of mono- and bifunctional unsaturated compounds in the state of mesomorphic structures. The microdomain fixing of P4VP blocks was carried out by using the vapor of 1, 4-dibromobutane (DBB). After subsequent chemical modifications (quaternization of residual P4VP blocks and sulfonation of PST blocks), the effect of microdomain fixings was elucidated from the moisture content of positive and negative regions. These results are discussed in some detail.     

Structural isomer effects on the morphology of block copolymer/metal salts hybrids

The structural isomer effects on phase behavior of block copolymer/FeCl₃ hybrids were investigated by comparing structures of two series of blends based on polystyrene‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐P4VP) and polystyrene‐b‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐P2VP), with the same molecular weight and the same composition. By conbining fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy and differencial scaninng calorimetry, successful achievements of selective dispersion of FeCl₃ into poly(vinylpyridine) phase via coordination were verified. Complementary morphological observation by transmission electron microscopy and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), it has been clarified that phase behavior for two isomer series is considerably different. That is, neat PS‐P4VP formed thicker cylindrical domains than that of neat PS‐P2VP due to much stronger Flory‐Huggins interaction parameter χ, χ_PS‐P4VP » χ_PS‐P2VP. As for PS‐P2VP/FeCl₃ hybrids, morphological transition can be taken place at the smaller amount of metal salt; furthermore, P2VP blend series form lamellar structures with evidently larger periodic length at the same amount of metal salt. This is probably caused by the event that excess metal salt also contributes to lamellar expansion by localizing at the center of P2VP lamellar phase. Moreover, the saturation limit of introduced metal salt in P2VP was smaller than that in P4VP due to the steric hindrance for a lone pair electrons on nitrogen atoms directed to the main chain of P2VP. These results can be explained by the structural isomer effects on the conformation of the P2VP chains at coordinated state with FeCl₃, that is, P2VP chains prefer to form the intramolecular coordination due to the short range interaction so as to make themselves stiffer, whereas P4VP chains tend to adopt the long range interaction including intra‐ and intermolecular coordinations. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 377–386     

Self‐assembled complexes of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(styrene)‐block‐poly(4‐vinyl pyridine)

Polymer complexes were prepared from high molecular weight poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(styrene)‐block‐poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) in dimethyl formamide (DMF). The hydrogen bonding interactions, phase behavior, and morphology of the complexes were investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In this A‐b‐B/C type block copolymer/homopolymer system, P4VP block of the block copolymer has strong intermolecular interaction with PAA which led to the formation of nanostructured micelles at various PAA concentrations. The pure PS‐b‐P4VP block copolymer showed a cylindrical rodlike morphology. Spherical micelles were observed in the complexes and the size of the micelles increased with increasing PAA concentration. The micelles are composed of hydrogen‐bonded PAA/P4VP core and non‐bonded PS corona. Finally, a model was proposed to explain the microphase morphology of complex based on the experimental results obtained. The selective swelling of the PS‐b‐P4VP block copolymer by PAA resulted in the formation of different micelles. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1192–1202, 2009     

Microphase separation in thin films of supramolecular assemblies composed of a triblock copolymer and low-molecular-weight additive

The phase behavior of supramolecular assemblies (SMAs) formed by poly(4-vinylpyridine)-block-polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP-b-PS-b-P4VP) triblock copolymer with 2-(4′-hydroxybenzeneazo)benzoic acid (HABA) was investigated with respect to the molar ratio (X) between HABA and 4VP monomer unit in bulk as well as in thin films. The results were compared with SMAs formed by a PS-b-P4VP diblock copolymer of similar composition as the triblock but half the molecular weight to ascertain the effect of molecular architecture on microphase separation. In bulk, both the di- and triblock SMAs showed composition-dependent morphological transitions, which could be tuned by HABA/4VP molar ratio. The domain spacing of the SMA was not significantly affected by the molecular architecture of the constituting block copolymers. In thin films also, both the di- and triblock SMAs showed more or less similar morphological transitions depending on X. Interestingly, the domain orientation of the cylindrical or lamellar microdomains in the SMAs was influenced by the molecular architecture of the block copolymer. After chloroform annealing, although the diblock SMAs showed in-plane orientation of the domains, triblock SMAs showed perpendicular domain orientation. The perpendicular orientation of the microdomains in triblock was favored because it allowed the mid-PS blocks to acquire normal distribution of loop and bridged conformations. Furthermore, the orientation of the lamellar and cylindrical microdomains of the diblock SMAs was found to switch to perpendicular orientation after annealing in 1,4-dioxane vapors. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1594–1605, 2010     

Synthesis and morphology of BAB type poly(styrene-b-2-methyl-2-oxazoline) block copolymers

Well defined BAB-type poly[styrene(ST)-b-2-methyl-2-oxazoline(MeOz)] was prepared by the cationic polymerization of α,ω-p-toluenesulfonic acid ester-terminated PST (PST-BTs) as an initiator. Alkaline hydrolysis of this block copolymer was carried out under various reaction conditions to obtain BAB-type poly[ST-b-ethylene imine(EI)]. Morphologies of these block copolymer specimens cast from several solvents were observed by electron microscope. The results are discussed in some detail.     

Block copolymers of poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) and poly(ethylene oxide) or polydimethylsiloxane: Synthesis and general characteristics

The syntheses of poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide-b-ethylene oxide) and poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide-b-dimethylsiloxane) are reported. The development of synthesis procedures for (AB)_n and predominantly triblock ABA and BAB sequences are discussed. Chemical compositions, dilute solution viscosities, and solubility behavior of these systems are also given some consideration. These considerations include the problems that arise in condensing block segments together when phase separation is occurring and developing control of the synthesis procedure to produce block systems of varying compositions.     

Supramolecular Micellization of Diblock Copolymer Mixtures Mediated by Hydrogen Bonding for the Observation of Separated Coil and Chain Aggregation in Common Solvents

This paper describes a new approach towards preparing self‐assembled hydrogen‐bonded complexes that have vesicle and patched spherical structures from two species of block copolymer in non‐selective solvents. The assembly of vesicles from the intermolecular complex formed after mixing polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinyl phenol) (PS‐b‐PVPh) with poly(methyl methacrylate)‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PMMA‐b‐P4VP) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) is driven by strong hydrogen bonding between the complementary binding sites on the PVPh and P4VP blocks. In contrast, well‐defined patched spherical micelles form after blending PS‐b‐PVPh with PMMA‐b‐P4VP in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF): weaker hydrogen bonds form between the PVPh and P4VP blocks in DMF, relative to those in THF, which results in the formation of spherical micelles that have compartmentalized coronas that consist of PS and PMMA blocks.

     

Hydrogen bond mediated supramolecular micellization of diblock copolymer mixture in common solvents

We report a new approach toward preparing self-assembled hydrogen-bonded complexes having vesicle and patched spherical structures from two species of block copolymers in nonselective solvents. Two diblock copolymers, poly(styrene-b-vinyl phenol) (PS-b-PVPh) and poly(methyl methacrylate-b-4-vinylpyridine) (PMMA-b-P4VP), were synthesized through anionic polymerization. The assembly of vesicles from the intermolecular complex formed after mixing PS-b-PVPH with PMMA-b-P4VP in THF was driven by strong hydrogen bonding between the complementary binding sites on the PVPH and P4VP blocks. In contrast, well-defined patched spherical micelles formed after blending PS-b-PVPh with PMMA-b-P4VP in DMF: the weaker hydrogen bonds formed between the PVPh and P4VP blocks in DMF, relative to those in THF, resulted in the formation of spherical micelles having compartmentalized coronas consisting of PS and PMMA blocks.     

Composite Worm‐Like Aggregates Formed from a Pair of Block‐Copolymers Containing Hydrogen‐Bonding Donor and Acceptor

Worm‐like aggregates with a PAA/P4VP complex core and a PEG/PNIPAM mixed shell were prepared in ethanol by the comicellization of poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(acrylic acid) (PEG‐b‐PAA) and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PNIPAM‐b‐P4VP) through hydrogen‐bonding. The formed aggregates were studied by dynamic light scattering, static light scattering, ¹H NMR, and transmission electron microscopy. The length of worm‐like aggregates could be adjusted by changing the weight ratio of W(PNIPAM‐b‐P4VP)/W(PEG‐b‐PAA). When the ratio changed from 20 to 150%, the length changed from about 100 nm to several microns, and the diameter stayed almost unchanged at about 15 nm.

     

Correlation between crystallization kinetics and microdomain morphology in block copolymer blends exhibiting confined crystallization

The crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blocks in poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(1,4‐butadiene) (PEO‐b‐PB)/poly(1,4‐butadiene) (PB) blends were previously found to display a one‐to‐one correlation with the microdomain morphology. The distinct correlation was postulated to stem from the homogeneous nucleation‐controlled crystallization in the cylindrical and spherical PEO microdomains, where there existed a direct proportionality between the nucleation rate and the individual domain volume. This criterion was valid for confined crystallization in which the crystallization was spatially restricted within the individual domains. However, it was possibly not applicable to PEO‐b‐PB/PB, in that the melt mesophase was strongly perturbed upon crystallization. Therefore, it may be speculated that the crystal growth front developed in a given microdomain could intrude into the nearby noncrystalline domains, yielding the condition of cooperative crystallization. To establish an unambiguous model system for verifying the existence of microdomain‐tailored kinetics in confined crystallization, we crosslinked amorphous PB blocks in PEO‐b‐PB/PB with a photoinitiated crosslinking reaction to effectively suppress the cooperative crystallization. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering revealed that, in contrast to the noncrosslinked systems, the pre‐existing domain morphology in the melt was retained upon crystallization. The crystallization kinetics in the crosslinked system also exhibited a parallel transition with the morphological transformation, thereby verifying the existence of microdomain‐tailored kinetics in the confined crystallization of block copolymers. Homogeneous nucleation‐controlled crystallizations in cylindrical and spherical morphologies were demonstrated in an isothermal crystallization study in which the corresponding crystallinity developments followed a simple exponential rule not prescribed by conventional spherulitic crystallization. Despite the effective confinement imposed by the crosslinked PB phase, crystallization in the lamellar phase still proceeded through a mechanism analogous to the spherulitic crystallization of homopolymers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 519–529, 2002; DOI 10.1002/polb.10121     

A Facile Preparation of Highly Thermally Stable Silver Nanoparticles Using PS‐b‐P4VP‐b‐PS Triblock Copolymer as Multidentate Ligand

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) of improved thermal stability against long‐term aggregation were prepared using the polystyrene‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine)‐b‐polystyrene (PS‐b‐P4VP‐b‐PS) triblock copolymer as a multidentate ligand. First, PS‐b‐P4VP‐b‐PS was synthesized by sequential reversible addition–fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization of styrene and 4‐vinylpydine using a trithiocarbonate chain transfer agent (CTA). Then Ag NPs were obtained by in situ reduction of silver nitrate using PS‐b‐P4VP‐b‐PS as a multidentate ligand. The obtained Ag NPs were stable in solution for at least 24 h while being heated at 110°C. The effect of the molar ratio of N atoms of the P4VP chain segment and AgNO₃ on the stability of Ag NPs was studied, and the results suggested that Ag NPs were very stable even if the molar ratio of N atoms of the P4VP chain segment and AgNO₃ was very low. This method is promising to scale up the preparation of metal NPs with good dispersibility and thermal stability, which still remains challenging. To further improve its thermal stability, 1,4‐dibromobutane was used to chemically crosslink the P4VP chain segment in solution. However, the results proved that the crosslink method is infeasible to further improve the thermal stability of Ag NPs in this system.     

Highly Ordered Structure Formation in RAFT‐Synthesized PtBOS‐b‐P4VP Diblock Copolymers

Linear poly(4‐tert‐butoxystyrene)‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PtBOS‐b‐P4VP) diblock copolymers are synthesized using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The self‐assembly of four different PtBOS‐b‐P4VP diblock copolymers is studied using small‐angle X‐ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy and a number of interesting observations are made. A tBOS₆₂‐b‐4VP₂₈ diblock copolymer with a weight fraction P4VP of 0.21 shows a disordered morphology of P4VP spheres with liquid‐like short‐range order despite an estimated value of of the order of 50. Increasing the length of the 4VP block to tBOS₆₂‐b‐4VP₁₉₉ results in a diblock copolymer with a weight fraction P4VP of 0.66. It forms a remarkably well‐ordered lamellar structure. Likewise, a tBOS₁₄₆‐b‐4VP₁₂₀ diblock copolymer with a weight fraction P4VP of 0.33 forms an extremely well‐ordered hexagonal structure of P4VP cylinders. Increasing the P4VP block of this block copolymer to tBOS₁₄₆‐b‐4VP₁₉₀ with a weight fraction P4VP of 0.44 results in a bicontinuous gyroid morphology despite the estimated strong segregation of . These results are discussed in terms of the architectural dissimilarity of the two monomers, characterized by the presence of the large side group of PtBOS, and the previously reported value of the interaction parameter, , for this polymer pair.

     

Pincushion of Tubule Discovery and Tubular Morphology Landscape Establishment of Block Copolymer Self‐Assemblies

Block copolymer (BCP) self‐assembly is a versatile technique in the preparation of polymeric aggregates with varieties of morphologies. However, its morphology library is limited. Here, the discovery of pincushion of tubules is reported for the first time, via BCP self‐assembly of poly(4‐vinylpyridine)‐b‐polystyrene (P4VP‐b‐PS) with very high molecular weight (500 kDa) and asymmetry (2 mol% P4VP). The investigation confirms the importance of core‐forming block length on morphology control of BCP self‐assemblies, especially with respect to tubular structures. The morphology landscape of tubular structures is successfully established, where dumbbell of tubule, tubule, loose clew of tubules, tight clew of tubules, and pincushion of tubules can be prepared by adjusting the core‐forming block length. This work therefore expands the structure library of BCP self‐assemblies and opens up a new avenue for the further applications of these tubular materials.     

Formation of Core‐Shell‐Corona Micellar Complexes through Adsorption of Double Hydrophilic Diblock Copolymers into Core‐Shell Micelles

Summary: The complexation between polystyrene‐block‐poly(acrylic acid) (PS‐b‐PAA) micelles and poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) (PEG‐b‐P4VP) is studied, and a facile strategy is proposed to prepare core‐shell‐corona micellar complexes. Micellization of PS‐b‐PAA in ethanol forms spherical core‐shell micelles with PS block as core and PAA block as shell. When PEG‐b‐P4VP is added into the core‐shell micellar solution, the P4VP block is absorbed into the core‐shell micelles to form spherical core‐shell‐corona micellar complexes with the PS block as core, the combined PAA/P4VP blocks as shell and the PEG block as corona. A model is suggested to characterize the core‐shell‐corona micellar complexes.

Schematic formation of core‐shell‐corona (CSC) micellar complexes by adsorption of PEG‐b‐P4VP into core‐shell PS‐b‐PAA micelles.     

Poly[(sodium sulfamate/carboxylate)isoprene‐b‐2‐vinyl pyridine] block polyampholytes: Synthesis and self‐assembly in aqueous media

We report on the synthesis of poly[(sodium sulfamate/carboxylate) isoprene‐b‐2‐vinyl pyridine] block polyampholytes (SCPI‐P2VP), utilizing anionic polymerization and post polymerization functionalization reactions. The precursor poly(isoprene‐b‐(2‐vinylpyridine)) diblock copolymers (PI‐P2VP), containing a polyisoprene (PI) block with high 1,4 microstructure, were prepared by anionic polymerization high vacuum techniques, in two steps, involving change of the polymerization solvent. Subsequent functionalization of the PI block with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate, introduced sulfamate and carboxylate groups in the polymer chains and produced the desired block polyampholytes. The successful synthesis of the polyampolytes was corroborated by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy measurements. The self‐assembly behaviour of the aforementioned polyampholytes was studied in aqueous solutions as a function of pH, by aid of dynamic and static light scattering, zeta potential, fluorescence spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Experimental results indicate that the block polyampholytes form micellar structures with P2VP cores and SCPI coronas at pH > 6, whereas more compact nanoparticles are formed at pH < 4 from the complexation of positively charged P2VP and SCPI, stabilized by excess negative charges of uncomplexed SCI segments. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Self‐assembly of a triblock terpolymer mediated by hydrogen‐bonded complexes

A poly(methyl methacrylate)‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine)‐block‐polystyrene (PMMA‐b‐P4VP‐b‐PS) triblock terpolymer is synthesized by ATRP to study its self‐assembly with PAA in organic solvents. The self‐assembly behavior of this system is compared with the one of a mixture of two diblocks, namely polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) and poly(methyl methacrylate)‐block‐poly(methacrylic acid) (PMMA‐b‐PMAA). For both systems, formation of hydrogen‐bonded complexes between the P4VP and PMAA or PAA blocks occurs. These complexes become insoluble in the solvent used and micelles with a P4VP/P(M)AA complexes core surrounded by PS and PMMA coronal chains are obtained in both cases. These micelles are analyzed by DLS and TEM. Spherical micelles are formed for both systems but the hydrodynamic radii obtained for the two types of micelles are different. Indeed, the micelles formed by the PMMA‐b‐P4VP‐b‐PS + PAA system are smaller than those observed for the PS‐b‐P4VP + PMMA‐b‐PMAA system. Finally, the effect of the molar ratio of the P4VP/PMAA complexing blocks is investigated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 459–467     

Carbohydrates as Additives for the Formation of Isoporous PS‐b‐P4VP Diblock Copolymer Membranes

Highly porous polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) diblock copolymer membranes are prepared using carbohydrates as additives. Therefore α‐cyclodextrine, α‐(D )‐glucose, and saccharose (cane sugar) are tested for the membrane formation of three different PS‐b‐P4VP polymers. The addition of the carbohydrates leads to an increasing viscosity of the membrane solutions due to hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl groups of the carbohydrates and pyridine units of the block copolymer. In all cases, the membranes made from solution with carbohydrates have higher porosity, an improved narrow pore distribution on the surface and a higher water flux as membranes made without carbohydrates with the same polymer, solvent ratio, and polymer concentration.     

Diblock copolymer–azobenzene complexes through hydrogen bonding: Self‐assembly and stable photoinduced optical anisotropy

We have demonstrated the preparation of a series of photoaddressable supramolecular block copolymers by mixing a carboxy‐terminated azobenzene derivative, 6‐[4‐(4′‐cyanophenylazo)phenyloxy]hexanoic acid (AZO), and two polystyrene‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpiridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) block copolymers. AZO can be selectively attached to the P4VP block of PS‐b‐P4VP through hydrogen bonding interactions. The assembly of AZO with vinylpyridine group‐containing polymers was initially investigated on a model system composed of P4VP homopolymer and AZO. Homogeneous liquid crystalline materials were obtained for ratios of AZO to vinylpyridine repeating unit, x, lower or equal to 0.50. Mixtures with higher x resulted in heterogeneous materials showing clear macrophase separation. Accordingly, a series of hydrogen‐bonded complexes of PS‐b‐P4VP and AZO, PS‐b‐P4VP(AZO)_x, with x = 0.25 and x = 0.50 were prepared. Lamellar and spherical morphologies were observed for the complexes based on PS24‐b‐P4VP9.5 (M_n,PS = 24,000, M_n,P4VP = 9500) and PS24‐b‐P4VP1.9 (M_n,PS = 24,000, M_n,P4VP = 1900), respectively. Photoinduced orientation of the azobenzene units was obtained in films of P4VP(AZO)_x and PS‐b‐P4VP(AZO)_x with x = 0.25 and 0.50 by using 488 nm linearly polarized light and characterized through birefringence and dichroism measurements. This investigation shows a versatile and less laborious approach to azobenzene‐containing polymer materials with low chromophore content, of interest in optical application. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Ultrathin and Large‐area Macroporous Polymeric Membranes Formed Through Self‐assembly of Sub‐10 nm Elastic Nanoparticles

A variety of sub‐10 nm nanoparticles are successfully prepared by crosslinking of polystyrene‐b‐poly(1,3‐butadiene) (PS‐b‐PB) and polystyrene‐b‐poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) block copolymer micelles and inverse micelles. Among them, the core‐crosslinked PS‐b‐PB micelles can self‐assemble into ultrathin (< 10 nm) macroporous (pore size <1 µm) membranes in a facile way, i.e., by simply drop‐coating the particle solution onto a mica surface. No continuous/porous membranes are produced from shell‐crosslinked PS‐b‐PB micelles and both forms of PS‐b‐P4VP micelles. This suggests that the unique structure of the block copolymer precursor, including the very flexible core‐forming block and the glassy corona‐forming block and the specific block length ratio, directly determines the formation of the macroporous membrane.

     

Synthesis and characterizations of the four‐armed amphiphilic block copolymer S[poly(2,3‐dihydroxypropyl acrylate)‐block‐poly(methyl acrylate)]4

The polymers poly[(2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxolane‐4yl) methyl acrylate] (PDMDMA) and four‐armed PDMDMA with well‐defined structures were prepared by the polymerization of (2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxolane‐4yl) methyl acrylate (DMDMA) in the presence of an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator system. The successive hydrolyses of the polymers obtained produced the corresponding water‐soluble polymers poly(2,3‐dihydroxypropyl acrylate) (PDHPA) and four‐armed PDHPA. The controllable features for the ATRP of DMDMA were studied with kinetic measurements, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and NMR data. With the macroinitiators PDMDMA–Br and four‐armed PDMDMA–Br in combination with CuBr and 2,2′‐bipyridine, the block polymerizations of methyl acrylate (MA) with PDMDMA were carried out to afford the AB diblock copolymer PDMDMA‐b‐MA and the four‐armed block copolymer S{poly[(2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxolane‐4yl) methyl acrylate]‐block‐poly(methyl acrylate)}₄, respectively. The block copolymers were hydrolyzed in an acidic aqueous solution, and the amphiphilic diblock and four‐armed block copolymers poly(2,3‐dihydroxypropyl acrylate)‐block‐poly(methyl acrylate) were prepared successfully. The structures of these block copolymers were verified with NMR and GPC measurements. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3062–3072, 2001