Microsphere Synthesis by Dispersion Copolymerizations Using Poly(t-butyl methacrylate) Macromonomers in Nonaqueous Media

Polymer microspheres were synthesized by dispersion copolymerization of divinylbenzene (DVB) with vinylbenzyl-terminated poly(t-butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) macromonomers in nonaqueous media (methanol and acetonitrile). The particle diameter increased gradually with an increase of the DVB concentration in methanol or acetonitrile. The particle size distribution was very narrow. PBMA macromonomers acted not only as a comonomer but also as a stabilizer. The particle diameters obtained in acetonitrile were smaller than those obtained in methanol. Thus, we observed a tendency in which the more soluble for PBMA macromonomer the media became, the smaller the particle size became. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Preparation of P4VP-g-PSt Copolymer Microspheres with Controllable Size by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization Synthesized Poly(4-vinylpyridine) Macromonomer

Poly(4‐vinylpyridine) macromonomer (St‐P4VP) with a styryl end group was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of 4‐vinylpyridine using p‐(chloromethyl)styrene (CMSt) as functional initiator, CuCl as catalyst and tris[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine (Me₆TREN) as ligand in 2‐propanol. The structure of St‐P4VP macromonomer was identified by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR). The result of gel permeation chromatography (GPC) illustrated that the number‐average molecular weight of St‐P4VP could be controlled by adjusting polymerization conditions. Poly(4‐vinylpyridine) grafted polystyrene microspheres (P4VP‐g‐PSt) were then prepared by dispersion copolymerization of styrene with St‐P4VP macromonomers. The effects of polymerization reaction parameters such as medium polarity, concentration of St‐P4VP macromonomer and polymerization temperature on the sizes and size distribution of P4VP‐g‐PSt microspheres were investigated. The results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser light scattering (LLS) indicated that mono‐dispersed P4VP‐g‐PSt microspheres with average diameters of 100–200 nm could be obtained when the molar ratio of St to St‐P4VP was 0.25:100 in ethanol/water mixed solvents (V/V=80:20) at 60°C. Such kind of graft copolymer microspheres was expected to be applied to many fields such as drug delivery system and protein adsorption/separation system due to their particular structure.     

Preparation of micron-size monodisperse polymer particles by dispersion copolymerization of styrene with poly(2-oxazoline) macromonomer

This article describes the preparation of micron-size monodisperse polymer particles by dispersion copolymerization of styrene with a poly(2-oxazoline) macromonomer in an aqueous ethanol solution. The macromonomer acted as a comonomer as well as a stabilizer. The diameter of the particles increased as the concentration of the macromonomer decreased. The higher the molecular weight of the macromonomer, the smaller the particle size. The copolymerization in the solvent containing higher water content gave smaller polymer particles. Under the condition giving the monodisperse particles, the particles volume increased linearly with the yield of the particles. From ESCA analysis of the particle surface, poly(2-oxazoline) chains were enriched on the surface. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Surface active properties of polyoxyethylene macromonomers and their role in radical polymerization in disperse systems

Conventional dispersion polymerization and copolymerization of low-molecular weight (conventional) unsaturated monomers allows preparation of monodisperse and micronsize polymer particles. A similar behavior can be found in the surfactant-free dispersion polymerization of non-traditional vinyl monomers, unsaturated macromonomers. The latter systems allow preparation of random, comb-like, star-like and graft copolymers as well. An interesting alternative arises with the use of amphiphilic reactive macromonomers that contain a polymerizable group and aggregate into an organized structure -- a micelle. Under such conditions the high rate of polymerization and ultrafine (microparticles) polymer dispersions are generated. Thus, the surface-active macromonomers promote the formation of micelles and polymer growth within the main reaction loci -- polymer particles. Furthermore, the surface-active compounds can be formed during the copolymerization of hydrophilic macromonomer and hydrophobic low-molecular weight comonomer. The reactive surface-active oligomeric radicals are incorporated into the polymer matrix or the particle surface layer, which prevents them from subsequent migration. Besides, the covalently bound surface-active groups at the particle surface strongly increase the colloidal stability of final polymer dispersion. This article presents a review of the current literature in the field of the surfactant-free dispersion polymerization of the polyoxyethylene unsaturated macromonomers. Besides a short introduction into some kinetic aspects of radical polymerization of traditional monomers in homogeneous and disperse systems, we mainly focus on the organized aggregation of amphiphilic polyoxyethylene macromonomers, the characterization of amphiphilic graft copolymers and their aggregation properties, and radical copolymerization of polyoxyethylene macromonomers. We discuss the birth and growth of chains, the transfer of reaction loci from the continuous phase to polymer particles, the diffusion-controlled termination, association of amphiphilic reaction by-products, the particle growth by agglomeration, the particle nucleation, the deactivation of polymer chain growth and the colloidal stability. Effects of initiator type and concentration, the surface activity of macromonomer, the macromonomer type and concentration, temperature, additives and the type of continuous phase on the kinetics of polymerization, and colloidal parameters of the reaction system are also evaluated. Variation of the polymer coil density, the polymer-polymer interaction, and polymer-solvent interaction with the molecular weight, diluent and method (light scattering, the size exclusion, etc.) are discussed. Polymerization of macromonomers provides regularly branched polymers with varied branching density. Since both the degree of polymerization and the length of branches may be varied, polymeric materials with specific properties can be prepared.     

Synthesis of microspheres stabilized sterically with two-component grafted chains by dispersion copolymerizations using mixture of two macromonomers in nonaqueous media

The polymer microspheres were synthesized by dispersion copolymerization of divinylbenzene (DVB) with two vinylbenzyl-terminated poly(ethylene glycol methylether) (PEG)/poly(t-butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) macromonomer blends in methanol. In these systems of two macromonomer blends as the emulsifier, the polymer microspheres formed had a very narrow particle size distribution. Two macromonomers formed comicelles with DVB monomer and acted not only as the comonomer but also as the stabilizer. Such polymer microspheres were stabilized sterically with two-component grafted chains, such as PEG and PBMA, in methanol.     

Emulsion copolymerization of styrene and methacrylic acid in the presence of a polyethylene oxide based-polymerizable stabilizer with a shorter chain length

The emulsion copolymerization of styrene and methacrylic acid (MAA) was performed in the presence of a relatively new macromonomer, poly(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether methacrylate (PEG-EEM) as a stabilizer. In contrast to similar studies, a macromonomer having relatively shorter polyethylene oxide chain length (i.e., M_n:246, n ≈ 3.0) was selected for this study. Highly uniform and carboxyl functionalized latex particles in the size range of 0.16–0.50 μm were obtained by changing MAA, PEG-EEM, total monomer, and initiator concentrations. The use of PEG-EEM as a stabilizer resulted in larger monodisperse particles relative to those obtained by the emulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization of styrene and MAA. The particle size decreased and the polymerization rate increased with the increasing MAA feed concentration. The application of power law model indicated that MAA concentration was more effective in the presence of PEG-EEM for control of particle size relative to similar systems. The latex particles with higher numbers of surface-carboxyl groups were obtained with the higher MAA feed concentrations. Although the particle size decreased and the polymerization rate increased with the increasing PEG-EEM concentration in the emulsion polymerization of styrene, both of them remained roughly constant with the increasing PEG-EEM concentration in the presence of MAA. Received: 21 December 2000 Accepted: 13 July 2000     

热敏性聚(N-乙烯基异丁酰胺)接枝高分子微球的合成

用自由基聚合和端基反应法合成了大分子单体聚 (N 乙烯基异丁酰胺 ) (PNVIBA) ,将其与苯乙烯在乙醇 水的混合溶剂中进行分散共聚 ,得到了PNVIBA接枝聚苯乙烯 (PNVIBA g PSt)高分子微球 .用GPC、激光光散射和电子显微镜等对聚合物的分子量和微球直径及形态进行了表征 .研究结果表明 ,大分子单体PNVIBA和PNVIBA g PSt高分子微球具有明显的热敏性 ,并且发现PNVIBA g PSt微球直径和形态可通过改变反应条件加以控制 ,得到了一种新形态的亚微米级高分子微球     

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.     

Synthesis of well‐defined macromonomers and comb copolymers from polymers made by atom transfer radical polymerization

Poly(n‐butyl acrylate) macromonomers with predetermined molecular weights (1300 < number‐average molecular weight < 23,000) and low polydispersity indices (<1.2) were synthesized from bromine‐terminated atom transfer radical polymerization polymers via end‐group substitution with acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. These macromonomers, having a high degree of end‐group functionalization (>90%), were radically homopolymerized to obtain comb polymers. A high macromonomer concentration, combined with a low radical flux, was needed to obtain a high conversion of the macromonomers and a reasonable degree of polymerization. By the traditional radical copolymerization of the hydrophobic macromonomers with the hydrophilic monomer N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), amphiphilic comb copolymers were obtained. The conversions of the macromonomers and comonomer were almost quantitative under optimized reaction conditions. The molecular weights were high (number‐average molecular weight ≈70,000), and the molecular weight distribution was broad (polydispersity index ≈ 3.5). Kinetic measurements showed simultaneous decreases in the macromonomer and DMAEMA concentrations, indicating a relatively homogeneous composition of the comb copolymers over the whole molecular weight range. This was supported by preparative size exclusion chromatography. The copolymerization of poly(n‐butyl acrylate) macromonomers with other hydrophilic monomers such as acrylic acid or N,N‐dimethylacrylamide gave comb copolymers with multimodal molecular weight distributions in size exclusion chromatography and extremely high apparent molecular weights. Dynamic light scattering showed a heterogeneous composition consisting of small (6–9 nm) and large (23–143 nm) particles, probably micelles or other type of aggregates. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3425–3439, 2003     

Nanosphere formation in copolymerization of methyl methacrylate with poly(ethylene glycol) macromonomers

Polymeric nanospheres consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) cores and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) branches on their surfaces were prepared by free radical copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with PEG macromonomers in ethanol/water mixed solvents. PEG macromonomers having a methacryloyl (MMA‐PEG) and p‐vinylbenzyl (St‐PEG) end group were used. It has become clear that the obtained polymer dispersions form three kinds of states, particle dispersion (milky solution), clear solution, and gel/precipitation. It was found that the reaction parameters such as MMA concentration, molecular weight, and concentration of PEG macromonomers, and water content can affect nanosphere formation in a copolymerization system. The water volume fraction of mixed ethanol/water solvents affected the particle size of the nanospheres. These differences in the formation of nanospheres were due to the solvophilic/solvophobic balance between the copolymers and solvents during the self‐assembling process of the copolymers. The sizes of nanospheres can be controlled by varying concentration of PEG macromonomer and water content in solvents. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1811–1817, 2000     

Helical polymer carrying helical grafts from peptide-based acetylene macromonomers: synthesis

N-Propargylamide-terminated peptide-based macromonomers with a degree of polymerization ranging from 4 to 40 were synthesized by the polymerization of gamma-benzyl and gamma-stearyl-L-glutamate-N-carboxy anhydrides initiated with propargylamine. The macromonomers took an alpha-helical structure, which was confirmed by signals at 208 and 220 nm in CD spectra. The macromonomers were subjected to polymerization and copolymerization with an alanine-derived N-propargylamide [N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-L-alanine-N'-propargylamide] catalyzed with (2,5-norbornadiene)Rh+[eta6-C6H5B- (C6H5)3]. It was confirmed through a CD spectroscopic study that the copolymer obtained from the copolymerization of the gamma-stearyl-L-glutamate-based macromonomer with the alanine-derived N-propargylamide had a helical polyacetylene main chain and helical polypeptide side chains.     

Emulsion and dispersion polymerization of styrene in the presence of PEO macromonomers with p-vinylphenylalkyl end groups

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macromonomers with α-p-vinylphenylalkyl (propyl, pentyl, and hexyl) and ω-hydroxy end groups were applied to emulsion and dispersion polymerization of styrene as reactive emulsifiers and dispersants in water and in methanol-water mixture (9:1 v/v), respectively. Nearly monodisperse microspheres of submicron to micron size were obtained. Particle size in the emulsion system was one or half order of magnitude smaller than that in the dispersion system, while in both systems the size decreased approximately according to minus one half power of the macromonomer concentration in weight. The particle size was substantially independent on the PEO chain length and also on the spacer alkyl chain length of the α-polymerizing end group. The total weight of the PEO chains incorporated by copolymerization into the particle surfaces (shells), relative to that of styrene polymerized into the particle cores, appears to be a key factor for controlling the particle size. To cite this article: K. Landfester et al., C. R. Chimie 6 (2003).     

Graft copolymers having hydrophobic backbone and hydrophilic branches. XXIII. Particle size control of poly(ethylene glycol)-coated polystyrene nanoparticles prepared by macromonomer method

Monodisperse polymeric nanospheres, which consist of polystyrene cores and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) branches on their surfaces, were prepared by the dispersion copolymerization of styrene (St) with PEG macromonomers that had a methacryloyl (MMA-PEG) or p-vinylbenzyl (St-PEG) end group in various organic solvent/water media. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) of the nanosphere surfaces indicated that PEG macromonomer chains were favorably located on their surfaces. The morphologies of the nanospheres were observed via a scanning electron micrograph (SEM), and particle sizes were estimated by a submicron particle analyzer. When both the concentration of macromonomers and molecular weight were higher, small nanospheres in diameter were obtained. Larger nanospheres in diameter were obtained using macromonomers with low molecular weight at lower concentration. The functions that correlate the diameter (D_n) on different concentration units were D_n = K[St]^0.64[MMA-PEG]^{−0.53±0.01}[I]^−0.49 and D_n = K[St]^0.80[St-PEG]^{−0.69±0.01}[I]^−0.22, where [I], [St], [MMA-PEG], and [St-PEG] are initiator, styrene, MMA-PEG, and St-PEG macromonomer concentration in feed, respectively. When the reaction parameters such as the molecular weight of the macromonomers were properly chosen, the particle size could be controlled in a range from ca. 80 to 3100 nm. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2155–2166, 1999     

Preparation of micron-size monodisperse poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) particles by dispersion polymerization

Dispersion polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate using four categories of polymeric stabilizers in a mixture of good and poor solvents was performed to produce polymeric particles. The stabilizers employed were methyl methacrylate and styrene homopolymers, methacryloyl-terminated poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene macromonomers, an amphiphilic poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid-graft-styrene), and polybutadiene derivatives containing reactive vinyl groups. Dispersion copolymerization with a small amount of the macromonomer gave micron-size particles with relatively narrow size distribution. The amphiphilic graft copolymer and the polybutadiene derivatives also afforded monodisperse particles. The mixed ratio between good and poor solvents greatly affected the particle size and size distribution. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel polyacid-stabilized latexes

A series of novel polyacid macromonomers based on 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) via a two-step route. First, a range of well-defined PHPMA homopolymer precursors were synthesized by ATRP using a tertiary amine-functionalized initiator, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl-2-bromoisobutyrylamide, and a CuCl/2, 2'-bipyridine (bpy) catalyst in alcoholic media at 50 °C. ATRP polymerizations were relatively slow and poorly controlled in pure isopropanol (IPA), especially when targeting higher degrees of polymerization (DP > 30). Improved control was achieved by addition of water: low polydispersity (M(w)/M(n) < 1.25) PHPMA homopolymers of DP = 30, 40, 50, 60, or 70 were successfully prepared using a 9:1 w/w % IPA/water mixture at 50 °C. These PHPMA homopolymer precursors were then derivatized to produce the corresponding poly(2-(succinyloxy)propyl methacrylate) (PSPMA) macromonomers by quaternizing the tertiary amine end-group with excess 4-vinylbenzyl chloride, followed by esterification of the pendent hydroxyl groups using excess succinic anhydride at 20 °C. These polyacid macromonomers were evaluated as reactive steric stabilizers for polystyrene latex synthesis under either aqueous emulsion polymerization or alcoholic dispersion polymerization conditions. Near-monodisperse polystyrene latexes were obtained via aqueous emulsion polymerization using 10 wt % PSPMA macromonomer (with respect to styrene monomer) with various initiators as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy, disk centrifuge photosedimentometry and light scattering studies. PSPMA macromomer concentrations as low as 1.0 wt % also produced near-monodisperse latexes, suggesting that these PSPMA macromonomers are highly effective stabilizers. Alcoholic dispersion polymerization of styrene conducted in various ethanol/water mixtures with 10 wt % PSPMA(50) macromonomer produced relatively large near-monodisperse latexes. Increasing the water content in such formulations led to smaller latexes, as expected. Control experiments conducted with 10 wt % PSPMA(50) homopolymer produced relatively large polydisperse latexes via emulsion polymerization and only macroscopic precipitates via alcoholic dispersion polymerization. Thus the terminal styrene group on the macromonomer chains is essential for the formation of well-defined latexes. FT-IR spectroscopy indicated that these latexes contained PSPMA macromonomer, whereas (1)H NMR spectroscopy studies of dissolved latexes allowed stabilizer contents to be determined. Aqueous electrophoresis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies confirmed that the PSPMA macromonomer chains were located at the latex surface, as expected. Finally, these polyacid-stabilized polystyrene latexes exhibited excellent freeze-thaw stability and remained colloidally stable in the presence of electrolyte.     

Reaction and stabilizing mechanism of the cross-type macromonomers in the dispersion polymerization of styrene

The cross-type (C-VUM) and linear-type (L-VUM) bifunctional vinyl urethane macromonomers and polystyrene (PS) using these macromonomers were synthesized in the dispersion polymerization in ethanol, and the reaction and stabilizing mechanism of the macromonomers was proposed. The structural verification of the macromonomers and PS was studied using (1)H NMR. The weight-average particle size of C-PS (PS prepared with C-VUM) and L-PS (PS prepared with L-VUM) decreased from 4.41 to 1.36 microm and from 3.56 to 1.52 microm, whereas the average-molecular weight of those increased from 34,100 to 100,500 g/mol and from 32,200 to 71,800 g/mol, respectively. The XPS result showed that the C-PS was anchored with a larger amount of PEG than that of the L-PS on the particle surface. Thus, the reaction and stabilizing mechanism of the macromonomers for the formation of PS particles is proposed as the following. The particle surface of the C-PS is surrounded by a large amount of tail shaped macromonomers leading to higher molecular weights and smaller particle sizes. On the other hand, the particle surface of the L-PS is comprised of relatively small amounts of loop shaped macromonomers inducing lower molecular weights and larger particles of L-PS than C-PS.     

Dispersion copolymerization of poly(oxyethylene) macromonomers and styrene

The kinetics of dispersion copolymerization of methacryloyl-terminated poly(oxyethylene) (PEO-MA) and p-vinylbenzyl-terminated (PEO-St) polyoxyethylene macromonomers and styrene (St), initiated by a water- and/or oil-soluble initiator, was investigated using conventional gravimetric and NMR methods at 60°C. The batch copolymerizations in the water/ethanol continuous phase were conducted to high conversion. The rate of polymerization was described by the curve with a maximum at very low conversion. The initial rate of polymerization and the number-average molecular weight were found to decrease with increasing [PEO-MA], and the decrease was more pronounced in the range of a high macromonomer concentration. The rate per particle (at ca. 20% conversion) was found to be proportional to the −1.55th, the particle size to the −0.92nd, and the number of particles (at final conversion) to the 3.2nd power of [PEO-MA], respectively. At the beginning of polymerization the continuous phase is the main reaction locus. As the polymerization advances, the reaction locus is shifted from the continuous phase to the polymer particles. The transform of the reaction loci from the continuous phase to the polymer particles increases the rate of polymerization and the polymer molecular weights. The increase of the weight ratio PEO-MA/St favors the formation of monodisperse polymer particles, the colloidal stability of dispersion, and the formation of a larger number of polymer particles. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3131–3139, 1997     

Emulsion polymerization of styrene using polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) macromonomers as stabilizers

New diblock macromonomers were used as reactive emulsifiers in the emulsion polymerization of styrene. The nature of the reactive group, the molecular weight, the length of the poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) block, and the molecular structure of the macromonomer were systematically investigated during this process by analyzing the evolution of the conversion and particle diameters. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2819–2827, 2002     

Synthesis and Characterization of Surfactant PEG Macromonomers with Fluorocarbon End‐capped Groups and its Copolymers

Fluorocarbon (R_F) or hydrocarbon (R_H) end‐capped PEG macromonomers were prepared by coupling method. Several factors mat affect the synthesis were studied and optimum condition was obtained. The critical micelle concentrations (CMC) of these macromonomers were determined by fluorescence method. A new type of fluorocarbon‐containing hydrophobically modified alkali swellable/soluble copolymers were obtained by copolymerization of R_F or R_H alkyl endcapped PEG macromonomers with acrylic acid in organic solvent The preliminary researches on viscosity property of these copolymer solutions were conducted under different conditions, such as various macromonomer content in the copolymer, polymer concentration, shear rate, pH value and temperature. All the results proved that there existed a very strong hydrophobic association among hydrophobes in these copolymer solutions.     

Heterogeneous polymerization with polyaspartate macromonomer having vinyl pendant groups. I. Synthesis of macromonomer and dispersion copolymerization of styrene

Sodium polyaspartate (PAspNa) derivatives with vinylbenzyl pendant groups (VBA‐PAspNa) were synthesized by reaction of poly(succinimide) (PSI) and vinylbenzylamine (VBA), and hydrolysis by sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. VBA‐PAspNa is a macromonomer with multiple vinyl groups in the side chain. Submicron sized polymeric particles were prepared by dispersion copolymerization of styrene with VBA‐PAspNa in a mixture of ethanol and water. Particle diameter decreased with increasing concentration and vinyl group fraction of VBA‐PAspNa. When compared with the particle diameter prepared using PAspNa or benzylamine‐modified PAspNa (BA‐PAspNa) as a dispersion stabilizer without vinyl groups, the particles prepared with VBA‐PAspNa were an order smaller than those prepared with PAspNa or BA‐PAspNa. The particles after refinement show an adequate negative ζ‐potential. From this result, we clarified the presence of PAspNa chains anchored onto the particle surface. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 762–770, 2009