Synthesis and characterization of six‐arm star polystyrene‐block‐poly (3‐hexylthiophene) copolymer by combination of atom transfer radical polymerization and click reaction

A novel six‐arm star block copolymer comprising polystyrene (PS) linked to the center and π‐conjugated poly (3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) was successfully synthesized using a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and click reaction. First, star‐shaped PS with six arms was prepared via ATRP of styrene with the discotic six‐functional initiator, 2,3,6,7,10,11‐hexakis(2‐bromoisobutyryloxy)triphenylene. Next, the terminal bromides of the star‐shaped PS were substituted with azide groups. Afterward, the six‐arm star block copolymer PS‐b‐P3HT was prepared using the click coupling reaction of azide‐terminated star‐shaped PS with alkynyl‐terminated P3HT. Various techniques including ¹H NMR, Fourier‐transform infrared and size‐exclusion chromatography were applied to characterize the chemical structures of the intermediates and the target block copolymers. Their thermal behaviors and optical properties were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and UV–vis spectroscopy. Moreover, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was utilized to observe the morphology of the star block copolymer films. In comparison with two linear diblock copolymer counterparts, AFM results reveal the effect of the star block copolymer architecture on the microphase separation‐induced morphology in thin films. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Influence of Domain Size on Toughness of Poly(styrene‐block‐butadiene) Star Block Copolymer/Polystyrene Blends

Summary: The toughness of poly(styrene‐block‐butadiene) star block copolymer/polystyrene (PS) blends have been investigated using the essential‐work‐of‐fracture approach. The blends show a co‐continuous or layer‐like structure of polystyrene‐rich and polybutadiene‐rich domains arising from the used extrusion process. A tough‐to‐brittle transition at a critical domain size of polystyrene‐rich domains of about 50 nm and a maximum in the non‐essential work of fracture at 20–30% PS (co‐continuous morphology) have been found.

Non‐essential work of fracture as a function of the mean thickness of polystyrene‐rich domains, demonstrating a tough‐to‐brittle transition at a critical domain thickness about 50 nm. AFM micrograph of a star block copolymer/PS‐blend containing 40% PS.     

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     

Synthesis of inverse star block copolymer by combination of ATRP,ring opening polymerization,and “click chemistry”

The inverse star block copolymer, (poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐polystyrene)₂‐core‐(poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐polystyrene)₂, [(PCL‐PS)₂‐core‐(PCL‐PS)₂] has been successfully prepared by combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), ring opening polymerization (ROP), and “Click Chemistry.” The synthesis includes the following five steps: (1) synthesis of a heterofunctional initiator with two ATRP initiating groups and two hydroxyl groups; (2) formation of (Br‐PS)₂‐core‐(OH)₂ via ATRP of styrene; (3) preparation of the (PCL‐PS)₂‐core‐(OH)₂ through “click” reaction of the α‐propargyl, ω‐acetyl terminated PCL with (N₃‐PS)₂‐core‐(OH)₂ which was prepared by transformation of the terminal bromine groups in (Br‐PS)₂‐core‐(OH)₂ into azide groups; (4) the ROP of CL using (PCL‐PS)₂‐core‐(OH)₂ as macroinitiator to form (PCL‐PS)₂‐core‐(PCL‐OH)₂; and (5) preparation of the (PCL‐PS)₂‐core‐(PCL‐PS)₂ through the ATRP of styrene using (PCL‐PS)₂‐core‐(PCL‐Br)₂ as macroinitiator which was prepared by reaction of the terminal hydroxyl groups at the end of the PCL chains with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide. The characterization data support structures of the inverse star block copolymer and the intermediates. The differential scanning calorimeter results and polarized optical microscope observation showed that the intricate structure of the inverse star block copolymer greatly restricted the movement of the PS segments and PCL segments, resulted in the increase of the glass transition temperature of PS segments and the decrease of crystallization ability of PCL segments. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7757–7772, 2008     

Divergent synthesis of dendrimer‐like macromolecules through a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization and click reaction

This article describes a divergent strategy to prepare dendrimer‐like macromolecules from vinyl monomers through a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and click reaction. Firstly, star‐shaped polystyrene (PS) with three arms was prepared through ATRP of styrene starting from a three‐arm initiator. Next, the terminal bromides of the star‐shaped PS were substituted with azido groups. Afterwards, the azido‐terminated star‐shaped PS was reacted with propargyl 2,2‐bis((2′‐bromo‐2′‐methylpropanoyloxy)methyl)propionate (PBMP) via click reaction. Star‐shaped PS with six terminal bromide groups was afforded and served as the initiator for the polymerization of styrene to afford the second‐generation dendrimer‐like PS. Iterative process of the aforementioned sequence of reactions could allow the preparation of the third‐generation dendrimer‐like PS. When the second‐generation dendrimer‐like PS with 12 bromide groups used as an initiator for the polymerization of tert‐butyl acrylate, the third‐generation dendrimer‐like block copolymer with a PS core and a poly (tert‐butyl acrylate) (PtBA) corona was afforded. Subsequently PtBA segments were selectively hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid, resulting an amphiphilic branched copolymer with inner dendritic PS and outer linear poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). Following the same polymerization procedures, the dendrimer‐like PS and PS‐block‐PtBA copolymers of second generation originating from six‐arm initiator were also synthesized. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3330–3341, 2007     

Morphology and micromechanical behaviour of styrene/butadiene block copolymers and their blends with polystyrene

The correlation between the morphology and the deformation mechanism in styrene/butadiene block copolymers having modified architecture and in blends with homopolymer polystyrene (hPS) was studied. It was demonstrated that the morphology formation in the block copolymers is highly coupled with their molecular architecture. In particular, the micromechanical behaviour of a star block copolymer and its blends with polystyrene was investigated by using electron microscopy and tensile testing. A homogeneous plastic flow of polystyrene lamellae (thin layer yielding) was observed if the lamella thickness was in the range of 20 nm. The deformation micromechanism switched to the formation of craze-like deformation zones when the average PS lamella thickness changed to about 30 nm and more.     

Block and star block copolymers by mechanism transformation 9: Preparation and characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(1,3‐dioxepane)/polystyrene ABC miktoarm star copolymers by combination of reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization and cationic ring‐opening polymerization

The miktoarm ABC star copolymer with three different branches, polystyrene (PS), poly(1,3‐dioxepane) (PDOP), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), was successfully prepared. PS with two transfer groups, hydroxyl and dithiobenzoate groups [PS‐HECA‐SC(S)Ph], was synthesized by the reaction of a dithiobenzoate group at the end of PS with hydroxyethylene cinnamate (HECA) in tetrahydrofuran solution. Then, the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of 1,3‐dioxepane was initiated by triflic acid in the presence of PS‐HECA‐SC(S)Ph and diblock copolymer, PS‐PDOP, was formed. Finally, the diblock copolymer with the dithiobenzoate group situated between the two blocks was used in the reversible addition–fragmentation transfer (RAFT) process of methyl methacrylate (MMA). The miktoarm ABC star copolymer S(PS)(PDOP)(PMMA) was characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1243–1250, 2003     

Well‐defined complex macromolecular architectures by anionic polymerization of styrenic single and double homo/miktoarm star‐tailed macromonomers

Styrenic single and double star‐tailed macromonomers were synthesized by selective reaction of living homo/miktoarm stars with the chlorosilane groups of 4‐(chlorodimethylsilyl)‐ and 4‐(dichloromethylsilyl)styrene, respectively. The in situ anionic homopolymerization of macromonomers with sec‐BuLi and copolymerization with butadiene and styrene, led to single/double homo/miktoarm star‐tailed molecular brushes and combs, as well as a block copolymer consisting of a linear polystyrene chain and a double miktoarm (PBd/PS) star‐tailed brush‐like block. Molecular characterization by size exclusion chromatography, size exclusion chromatography/two‐angle laser light scattering, and NMR spectroscopy, revealed the high molecular/compositional homogeneity of all intermediate and final products. These are only a few examples of the plethora of complex architectures possible using the above macromonomers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1826–1842, 2008     

Dispersion RAFT polymerization of 4‐vinylpyridine in toluene mediated with the macro‐RAFT agent of polystyrene dithiobenzoate: Effect of the macro‐RAFT agent chain length and growth of the block copolymer nano‐objects

The dispersion reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of 4‐vinylpyridine in toluene in the presence of the polystyrene dithiobenzoate (PS‐CTA) macro‐RAFT agent with different chain length is discussed. The RAFT polymerization undergoes an initial slow homogeneous polymerization and a subsequent fast heterogeneous one. The RAFT polymerization rate is dependent on the PS‐CTA chain length, and short PS‐CTA generally leads to fast RAFT polymerization. The dispersion RAFT polymerization induces the self‐assembly of the in situ synthesized polystyrene‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) block copolymer into highly concentrated block copolymer nano‐objects. The PS‐CTA chain length exerts great influence on the particle nucleation and the size and morphology of the block copolymer nano‐objects. It is found, short PS‐CTA leads to fast particle nucleation and tends to produce large‐sized vesicles or large‐compound micelles, and long PS‐CTA leads to formation of small‐sized nanospheres. Comparison between the polymerization‐induced self‐assembly and self‐assembly of block copolymer in the block‐selective solvent is made, and the great difference between the two methods is demonstrated. The present study is anticipated to be useful to reveal the chain extension and the particle growth of block copolymer during the RAFT polymerization under dispersion condition. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Mesogen‐controlled ion channel of star‐shaped hard–soft block copolymers for solid‐state lithium‐ion battery

Novel star‐shaped hard–soft triblock copolymers, 4‐arm poly(styrene)‐block‐poly [poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ethyl methacrylate]‐block‐poly{x‐[(4‐cyano‐4′‐biphenyl) oxy] alkyl methacrylate} (4PS‐PPEGMA‐PMAxLC) (x = 3, 10), with different mesogen spacer length are prepared by atom‐transfer radical polymerization. The star copolymers comprised three different parts: a hard polystyrene (PS) core to ensure the good mechanical property of the solid‐state polymer, and a soft, mobile poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ethyl methacrylate] (PPEGMA) middle sphere responsible for the high ionic conductivity of the solid polyelectrolytes, and a poly{x‐[(4‐cyano‐4′‐biphenyl)oxy]alkyl methacrylate} with a birefringent mesogens at the end of each arm to tuning the electrolytes morphology. The star‐shaped hard–soft block copolymers fusing hard PS core with soft PPEGMA segment can form a flexible and transparent film with dimensional stability. Thermal annealing from the liquid crystalline states allows the cyanobiphenyl mesogens to induce a good assembly of hard and soft blocks, consequently obtaining uniform nanoscale microphase separation morphology, and the longer spacer is more helpful than the shorter one. There the ionic conductivity has been improved greatly by the orderly continuous channel for efficient ion transportation, especially at the elevated temperature. The copolymer 4PS‐PPEGMA‐PMA10LC shows ionic conductivity value of 1.3 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 (25 °C) after annealed from liquid crystal state, which is higher than that of 4PS‐PPEGMA electrolyte without mesogen groups. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 4341–4350     

Influence of Phase Separation Behaviour on Toughness of Compression Moulded SBS Star Block Copolymer/Polystyrene Blends

The influence of homopolymer molecular weight and compression moulding on morphology formation and deformation behaviour of binary blends of polystyrene-polybutadiene based star block copolymer and polystyrene (PS) homopolymer was investigated. The samples used were a polystyrene-(polystyrene-co-polybutadiene)-polystyrene (S-S/B-S) star block copolymer and anionically prepared polystyrene (aPS). The techniques used were transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and uniaxial tensile testing. A wide range of segregation behaviour was observed depending on the ratio of the length of aPS chains relative to that of corresponding outer blocks of the block copolymer. For the first time, the formation of macrophase-separated ‘droplet-like’ morphology has been reported, which endows the block copolymer/polystyrene blends with higher toughness. The mechanical properties of blends are discussed in the light of micromechanical processes of deformation. The micromechanical mechanisms and their dependence with inter domain distance are similar to the mechanisms found in rubber network toughened systems.     

Synthesis and solvent‐dependent micellization of the amphiphilic block copolymer poly(styreneboronic acid)‐block‐polystyrene

The amphiphilic organoboron block copolymer poly (styreneboronic acid)‐block‐polystyrene ( PSBA‐b‐PS ) has been prepared through a postpolymerization modification route from the silicon‐functionalized block copolymer poly(4‐trimethylsilylstyrene)‐block‐polystyrene ( PSSi‐b‐PS ). PSBA‐b‐PS is obtained through highly selective reaction of PSSi‐b‐PS with BBr₃ at room temperature and subsequent hydrolysis of the BBr₂‐functionalized intermediate. Transmission electron microscopy studies demonstrate that PSBA‐b‐PS undergoes pH dependent micellization in aqueous solution. Different morphologies could be realized by using different mixtures of water and organic solvents. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2438–2445, 2010     

Investigation of the micromechanical deformation behavior of styrene–butadiene star block copolymer/polystyrene blends with high‐voltage electron microscopy

The deformation behavior of blends consisting of a styrene–butadiene star block copolymer and a polystyrene homopolymer was studied by high‐voltage electron microscopy with a tensile device. The mechanical properties and micromechanical deformation mechanisms in the star block copolymer/polystyrene blends were directly influenced by their morphology. Although the pure block copolymer deformed in a very unequal manner (because of a thin‐layer‐yielding mechanism) and revealed no local deformation zones, a transition to the formation of crazelike zones was observed in the blends. This transition in the deformation mechanisms was correlated to the abrupt change in the macroscopic strain at break of the injection‐molded specimens. At lower contents of added polystyrene, a craze‐stopping mechanism was observed, whereas the blends with higher polystyrene contents demonstrated crazing like that in pure polystyrene. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1157–1167, 2003     

Synthesis of Star‐Shaped Poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)‐b‐Poly(styrene) Block Copolymer by Combining Ring‐Opening Polymerization and Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Newly designed star‐shaped block copolymers made of poly(?‐caprolactone) (PCL) and polystyrene (PS) were synthesized by combining ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ?‐caprolactone (CL) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene (St). The switch from the first to the second mechanism was obtained by selective transformation of “living” radical sites. First, tri‐ and tetrafunctional initiators were used as an initiator for the “living” ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ?‐caprolactone producing a hydroxyl terminated three or four arm star‐shaped polymer. Next, the OH end groups of PCL star branches were derivatized into 2‐bromoisobutyrate groups which gave rise to the corresponding tri‐ and tetrabromoester ended‐PCL stars; the latter served as macroinitiators for the ATRP of styrene at 110°C in the presence of CuBr/2,2‐bipyridine (Bipy) catalyst system affording star‐shaped block copolymers PCL_n‐b‐PS_n (n=3 or 4). The samples obtained were characterizated by ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy and GPC (gel permeation chromatograph). These copolymers exhibited the expected structure. The crystallization of star‐shaped block copolymers was studied by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry). The results show that when the content of the PS block increased, the T_m of the star‐shaped block copolymer decreased.     

Synthesis,micellization and gelation of temperature‐responsive star‐shaped block copolymers

A series of amphiphilic temperature‐responsive star‐shaped poly(D,L‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid)‐b‐methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA‐mPEG) block copolymers with different arm numbers were synthesized via the arm‐first method. Gel permeation chromatography data confirmed that star‐shaped PLGA‐mPEG copolymers had narrow polydispersity index, indicating the successful formation of star‐shaped block copolymers. Indirectly, the ¹H NMR spectra in two kinds of solvents and dye solubilization method had confirmed the formation of core‐shell micelles. Further, core‐shell micelles with sizes of about 30–50 nm were directly observed by transmission electron microscopy. Subsequently, the micellar sizes and distributions as a function of concentrations and temperature were measured. At various copolymer concentrations, individual micelles with size of 20–40 nm and grouped micelles with size of 600–700 nm were found. Micellar mechanism of star‐shaped block copolymers in aqueous solution was simultaneously discussed. In addition, sol–gel transition of star‐shaped block copolymers in water was also investigated via the inverting test method. The critical gel temperature (CGT) and critical gel concentration (CGC) values of two‐arm, three‐arm and four‐arm copolymer solutions were markedly higher than ones of one‐arm copolymer. Moreover, the same CGC values of copolymer solution with different molecular weight and the same arm composition were ~15 wt %, and CGT values increased from ~38 to ~47°C with increasing arm numbers. Finally, the temperature‐dependent micellar packing gelation mechanism of star‐shaped block copolymer was schematically illustrated. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Block copolymer compatibilizers for polystyrene/poly(dimethylsiloxane) blends

Symmetric polystyrene (PS)–poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) diblock copolymers were mixed into a 20% dispersion of PDMS in PS. The effect of adding the block copolymer on the blend morphology was examined as a function of the block copolymer molecular weight (M_n,bcp), concentration, and viscosity ratio (η_r). When blended together with the PS and PDMS homopolymers, most of the block copolymer appeared as micelles in the PS matrix. Even when the copolymer was preblended into the PDMS dispersed phase, block copolymer micelles in the PS matrix phase were observed with transmission electron microscopy after mixing. Adding 16 kg/mol PS–PDMS block copolymer dramatically reduced the PDMS particle size, but the morphology, as examined by scanning electron microscopy, was unstable upon thermal annealing. Adding 156 kg/mol block copolymer yielded particle sizes similar to those of blends with 40 or 83 kg/mol block copolymers, but only blends with 83 kg/mol block copolymer were stable after annealing. For a given value of M_n,bcp, a minimum PDMS particle size was observed when η_r ～ 1. When η_r = 2.6, thermally stable, submicrometer particles as small as 0.6 μm were observed after the addition of only 3% PS–PDMS diblock (number‐average molecular weight = 83 kg/mol) to the blend. As little as 1% 83 kg/mol block copolymer was sufficient to stabilize a 20% dispersion of 1.1‐μm PDMS particles in PS. Droplet size reduction was attributed to the prevention of coalescence caused by small amounts of block copolymer at the interface. The conditions under which block copolymer interfacial adsorption and interpenetration were facilitated were explained with Leibler's brush theory. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 346–357, 2002; DOI 10.1002/polb.10098     

A Facile Synthesis of Cleavable Block Copolymers via Tandem Polymerizations of NMRP and ATRP

A functionalized compound, 4‐(2‐bromoisobutyryl)‐2,2,6,6‐tetra‐methylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (Br‐TEMPO), was synthesized and used to synthesize block copolymers through tandem nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First, Br‐TEMPO was used to mediate the polymerization of styrene. The kinetics of polymerization proved a typical “living” nature of the reaction and the effectiveness in the mediation of polymerization of Br‐TEMPO. Then the PS‐Br macroinitiator was used to initiate atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). A series of acrylates were initiated by PS‐Br macroinitiators in typical ATRP processes at various conditions. The controlled polymerization of ATRP was also confirmed by molecular weight and kinetic analysis. Several cleavable block copolymers of PS‐b‐P(t‐BA), PS‐b‐P(n‐BA), and PS‐b‐PMA, with different molecular weights, were synthesized via this strategy. Relatively low polydispersities (<1.5) were observed and the molecular weights were in agreement with the theoretical ones. Hydrolysis of PS‐b‐P(t‐BA) was carried out, giving amphiphilic block copolymer PS‐b‐PAA without the cleavage of C‐ON bond or ester bond. All the block copolymers have two T_gs as demonstrated by DSC. A typical cleavable block copolymer of PS‐b‐PMA was cleaved by adding phenylhydrazine at 120°C to produce homopolymers in situ.     

Multiarm star triblock terpolymers via sequential double click reactions

Multiarm star triblock terpolymers were obtained by using two different click reactions sequentially: Cu(I) catalyzed azide–alkyne and Diels–Alder. The synthetic strategy is described as follows: (poly(methyl methacrylate))_n‐(polystyrene)_m‐poly(divinyl benzene)) ((PMMA)_n‐(PS)_m‐polyDVB) multiarm star diblock copolymer was first obtained from an azide–alkyne click reaction of (alkyne‐PS)_m‐polyDVB multiarm star polymer with α‐anthracene‐ω‐azide PMMA (anth‐PMMA‐N₃), followed by a Diels–Alder click reaction of the anthracene groups at the star periphery with α‐maleimide poly (tert‐butyl acrylate) (PtBA‐MI) or α‐maleimide poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG‐MI) leading to target (PtBA)_k‐(PMMA)_n‐(PS)_m‐polyDVB and (PEG)_p‐(PMMA)_n‐(PS)_m‐polyDVB multiarm star triblock terpolymers. The hydrodynamic diameter of individual multiarm star triblock terpolymers were measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) to be ～24–27 nm in consistent with the atomic force microscopy (AFM) images on silicon substrates. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1557–1564, 2010     

Synthesis of ABCD 4‐Miktoarm star‐shaped quarterpolymers by combination of the “click” chemistry with multiple polymerization mechanism

Well‐defined ABCD 4‐Miktoarm star‐shaped quarterpolymers of [poly(styrene)‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate)‐poly(ethylene oxide)‐poly(isoprene)] [star(PS‐PtBA‐PEO‐PI)] were successfully synthesized by the combination of the “click” chemistry and multiple polymerization mechanism. First, the poly(styryl)lithium (PS^?Li⁺) and the poly(isoprene)lithium (PI^?Li⁺) were capped by ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether (EEGE) to form the PS and PI with both an active ω‐hydroxyl group and an ω′‐ethoxyethyl‐protected hydroxyl group, respectively. After these two hydroxyl groups were selectively modified to propargyl and 2‐bromoisobutyryl group for PS, the resulted PS was used as macroinitiator for ATRP of tBA monomer and the diblock copolymer PS‐b‐PtBA with a propargyl group at the junction point was achieved. Then, using the functionalized PI as macroinitiator for ROP of EO monomer and bromoethane as blocking agent, the diblock copolymer PI‐b‐PEO with a protected hydroxyl group at the conjunction point was synthesized. After the hydrolysis, the recovered hydroxyl group of PI‐b‐PEO was modified to bromoacetyl and then azide group successively. Finally, the “click” chemistry between them was proceeded smoothly. The obtained star‐shaped quarterpolymers and intermediates were characterized by ¹H NMR, FT‐IR, and SEC in detail. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2154–2166, 2008     

Segregation of Coronal Chains in Micelles Formed by Supramolecular Interactions

Summary: Spherical micelles have been formed by mixing, in DMF, a poly(styrene)‐block‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) (PS‐block‐P2VP‐block‐PEO) triblock copolymer with either poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) or a tapered triblock copolymer consisting of a PAA central block and PEO macromonomer‐based outer blocks. Noncovalent interactions between PAA and P2VP result in the micellar core while the outer corona contains both PS and PEO chains. Segregation of the coronal chains is observed when the tapered copolymer is used.

Inclusion of comb‐like chains with short PEO teeth in the corona triggers the nanophase segregation of PS and PEO as illustrated here (PS = polystyrene; PEO = poly(ethylene oxide)).