Sol–gel transition behavior of biodegradable three‐arm and four‐arm star‐shaped PLGA–PEG block copolymer aqueous solution

Two types of temperature‐sensitive biodegradable three‐arm and four‐arm star‐shaped poly(DL ‐lactic acid‐co‐glycolic acid‐b‐ethylene glycol) (3‐arm and 4‐arm PLGA–PEG) were successfully synthesized via the coupling reaction of 3‐arm and 4‐arm PLGA and α‐monocarboxyl‐ω‐monomethoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (CMPEG). In dilute aqueous solutions, star PLGA–PEGs showed the temperature‐ and concentration‐dependent formation and aggregation of micelles over specific concentration and specific temperature. With increasing the molecular weight and the relative hydrophobicity of hydrophobic PLGA block, critical micelle temperature (CMT) decreased. Aqueous solution of 4‐arm PLGA–PEG started to form micelles at lower temperature and showed sharper temperature‐dependent growth in micelle size. These results are due to the enhanced hydrophobicity of PLGA block. On the other hand, at high concentration, two types of 3‐arm and 4‐arm PLGA–PEG showed sol–gel–sol transition behavior as the temperature was increased. The 3‐arm and 4‐arm PLGA–PEG showed sol–gel transition at higher polymer concentrations (above 24 wt %) than the PEG–PLGA–PEG triblock copolymer. As the molecular weight and the relative hydrophobicity of PLGA block increased, the critical gel concentration (CGC) decreased. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 888–899, 2006     

Fluorinated star‐shaped block copolymers: Synthesis and optical properties

Tetrakis(4‐(1‐bromoethyl)phenyl)silane is synthesized and utilized to initiate the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) to generate bromo‐terminated four‐armed PMMA macroinitiators, which further initiate the ATRP of methylacryloyloxyl‐2‐hydroxypropyl perfluorooctanoate (FGOA) to create fluorinated star‐shaped block copolymers PMMA‐b‐poly(FGOA)s with fluorine content ranging from 0 to 31.7 wt %. The polymerizations are well controlled with the polydispersity indices <1.30. The polymers readily dissolve in common organic solvents and show good film‐formation. Compared with the nonfluorinated sample, the fluorinated films exhibit significantly increased water contact angles owing to the enrichment of fluorine on the surface. The enhanced hydrophobicity is advantageous for the optical stability when the devices work under a moist environment. Moreover, the films possess high thermo‐optic coefficients, tunable refractive indices, and extremely low birefringence coefficients because of the presence of bulky and rigid tetraphenylsilane core and star‐shaped topological structure, showing potential application in optical waveguide devices. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1969–1977     

Synthesis and properties of star‐shaped polymers by the ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic carbonate initiated with a trifunctional,poly(ethylene glycol)‐based surfactant

Amphiphilic, star‐shaped copolymers were synthesized by the ring‐opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate initiated with a trifunctional, poly(ethylene glycol)‐based surfactant (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate) in the absence of any catalysts. The metal‐ and solvent‐free polymerization proceeded at 150 °C and afforded polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate‐block‐poly(trimethylene carbonate) with number‐average molecular weights of 4500–11,900 in excellent yields. The copolymers successfully dispersed in a water/ethyl acetate (10/1 v/v) mixture, and the uniform suspension could contain a hydrophobic pigment and pyrene. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6633–6639, 2006     

Method of determining the absolute molecular weight from gel permeation chromatograms for star‐shaped styrenic block copolymers

A gel permeation chromatography (GPC) calculation method has been developed to determine the absolute molecular weight of a star‐shaped styrenic block copolymer with GPC–ultraviolet/refractive index calibrated with linear polystyrene standards. To illustrate the simplicity of this method, we have synthesized nearly monodisperse, multiple‐arm model polymers either by linking living polymeric arms with multifunctional silicon halide or by oligomerizing the p‐chloromethylstyrene‐terminated polystyrene macromonomers. The good agreement between the absolute molecular weight determined with this calculation method and that actually measured with a multi‐angle laser light scattering device has corroborated the validity of the calculation method. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 976–983, 2003     

One‐pot synthesis of star‐block copolymers using double click reactions

3‐Arm star‐block copolymers, (polystyrene‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate))₃, (PS‐b‐PMMA)₃, and (polystyrene‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol))₃, (PS‐b‐PEG)₃, are prepared using double‐click reactions: Huisgen and Diels–Alder, with a one‐pot technique. PS and PMMA blocks with α‐anthracene‐ω‐azide‐ and α‐maleimide‐end‐groups, respectively, are achieved using suitable initiators in ATRP of styrene and MMA, respectively. However, PEG obtained from a commercial source is reacted with 3‐acetyl‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐7‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐ene‐2‐carboxamide (7) to give furan‐protected maleimide‐end‐functionalized PEG. Finally, PS/PMMA and PS/PEG blocks are linked efficiently with trialkyne functional linking agent 1,1,1‐tris[4‐(2‐propynyloxy)phenyl]‐ethane 2 in the presence of CuBr/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) at 120 °C for 48 h to give two samples of 3‐arm star‐block copolymers. The results of the peak splitting using a Gaussian deconvolution of the obtained GPC traces for (PS‐b‐PMMA)₃ and (PS‐b‐PEG)₃ displayed that the yields of target 3‐arm star‐block copolymers were found to be 88 and 82%, respectively. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 7091–7100, 2008     

Encapsulation and release by star‐shaped block copolymers as unimolecular nanocontainers

A five‐arm star‐shaped poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with terminal bromide groups was used as a macroinitiator for the atom transfer radical polymerization of tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA), resulting in five‐arm star‐shaped poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) block copolymers. The polymerization proceeded in a controlled way using a copper(I)bromide/pentamethyl diethylenetriamine catalytic system in acetonitrile as solvent. The hydrolysis of the tBA blocks of the amphiphilic star‐shaped PEO‐b‐PtBA block copolymer resulted in dihydrophilic star structures. The encapsulation of the star‐block copolymers and their release properties in acid environment have been followed by UV‐spectroscopy and color changes, using the dye methyl orange as a hydrophilic guest molecule. Characterization of the structures has been done by ¹H NMR, size exclusion chromatography, MALDI‐TOF, and differential scanning calorimetry. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 650–660, 2008     

Acyclic Diene Metathesis Polymerization and Heck Polymer–Polymer Conjugation for the Synthesis of Star‐shaped Block Copolymers

Three‐ and four‐arm star shaped polymers, as well as diblock copolymers, are synthesized via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization. This is accomplished by using an asymmetric α,ω‐diene containing a terminal double bond and an acrylate, which is polymerized in the presence of multifunctional acrylates as selective and irreversible chain transfer agents using Hoveyda‐Grubbs second generation catalyst. High cross‐metathesis selectivities are achieved at low temperatures enabling good control over molecular weights. Furthermore, additional polyethyleneglycol (PEG) blocks are attached to these polymers via Heck coupling of the acrylate end‐groups of these polymers with aryl iodide functionalized PEG, obtaining three‐ and four‐arm star shaped di‐ and triblock copolymers with molecular weights up to 31 kDa.

     

Microwave‐assisted synthesis of star‐shaped poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐block‐poly(L‐lactide) copolymers and the crystalline morphologies

A monomode microwave reactor was used for the synthesis of designed star‐shaped polymers, which were based on dipentaerythritol with six crystallizable arms of poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(L ‐lactide) (PCL‐b‐PLLA) copolymer via a two‐step ring‐opening polymerization (ROP). The effects of irradiation conditions on the molecular weight were studied. Microwave heating accelerated the ROP of CL and LLA, compared with the conventional heating method. The resultant hexa‐armed polymers were fully characterized by means of FTIR, ¹H NMR spectrum, and GPC. The investigation of thermal properties and crystalline behaviors indicated that the crystalline behaviors of polymers were largely depended on the macromolecular architecture and the length of the block chains. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Graft copolymers from star‐shaped and hyperbranched polystyrene macromonomers

Branched polystyrene macromonomers were synthesized by the slow addition of a stoichiometric amount of either 4‐(chlorodimethylsilyl)styrene or vinylbenzyl chloride as a coupling agent to living polystyryllithium. Star‐shaped macromonomers were produced by the addition of the coupling agent alone, and hyperbranched macromonomers resulted from the addition of the coupling agent along with styrene monomer. Star and hyperbranched graft copolymers were produced by the copolymerization of the macromonomers with styrene and methyl methacrylate. The copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography coupled with multi‐angle laser light scattering, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and Soxhlet extraction to determine that the macromonomers were incorporated in high yields into the copolymers. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3547–3555, 2001     

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     

Poly(styrene‐b‐isobutylene) multiarm star‐block copolymers

Multiarm star‐branched polymers based on poly(styrene‐b‐isobutylene) (PS‐PIB) block copolymer arms were synthesized under controlled/living cationic polymerization conditions using the 2‐chloro‐2‐propylbenzene (CCl)/TiCl₄/pyridine (Py) initiating system and divinylbenzene (DVB) as gel‐core‐forming comonomer. To optimize the timing of isobutylene (IB) addition to living PS⊕, the kinetics of styrene (St) polymerization at −80°C were measured in both 60 : 40 (v : v) methyl cyclohexane (MCHx) : MeCl and 60 : 40 hexane : MeCl cosolvents. For either cosolvent system, it was found that the polymerizations followed first‐order kinetics with respect to the monomer and the number of actively growing chains remained invariant. The rate of polymerization was slower in MCHx : MeCl (k_app = 2.5 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹) compared with hexane : MeCl (k_app = 5.6 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹) ([CCl]_o = [TiCl₄]/15 = 3.64 × 10⁻³M; [Py] = 4 × 10⁻³M; [St]_o = 0.35M). Intermolecular alkylation reactions were observed at [St]_o = 0.93M but could be suppressed by avoiding very high St conversion and by setting [St]_o ≤ 0.35M. For St polymerization, k_app = 1.1 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ ([CCl]_o = [TiCl₄]/15 = 1.82 × 10⁻³M; [Py] = 4 × 10⁻³M; [St]_o = 0.35M); this was significantly higher than that observed for IB polymerization (k_app = 3.0 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹; [CCl]_o = [Py] = [TiCl₄]/15 = 1.86 × 10⁻³M; [IB]_o = 1.0M). Blocking efficiencies were higher in hexane : MeCl compared with MCHx : MeCl cosolvent system. Star formation was faster with PS‐PIB arms compared with PIB homopolymer arms under similar conditions. Using [DVB] = 5.6 × 10⁻²M = 10 times chain end concentration, 92% of PS‐PIB arms (M_n,PS = 2600 and M_n,PIB = 13,400 g/mol) were linked within 1 h at −80°C with negligible star–star coupling. It was difficult to achieve complete linking of all the arms prior to the onset of star–star coupling. Apparently, the presence of the St block allows the PS‐PIB block copolymer arms to be incorporated into growing star polymers by an additional mechanism, namely, electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS), which leads to increased rates of star formation and greater tendency toward star–star coupling. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1629–1641, 1999     

Synthesis,characterization, and temperature‐responsive behaviors of novel hybrid amphiphilic block copolymers containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

Organic/inorganic hybrid amphiphilic block copolymer poly(methacrylate isobutyl POSS)‐b‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PMAPOSS‐b‐P(NIPAM‐co‐OEGMA)) was synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The self‐assembly behavior of this block copolymer in aqueous solution was investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the novel block copolymer can self‐assemble into spherical micelles with PMAPOSS segment as the hydrophobic part and P(NIPAM‐co‐OEGMA) segment as the hydrophilic part. The temperature‐responsive characteristics of the assemblies were tested by UV–Vis spectra and DLS. Some factors such as the concentration, molecular weight, and copolymer generation that may affect the cloud point were studied systematically. The results reveal that this copolymer exhibits a sharp and intensive lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The essentially predetermined LCST can be conveniently achieved by adjusting the content of NIPAM or OEGMA domain. In addition, these novel hybrid micelles can undergo an association/disassociation cycle with the heating and cooling of solution and the degree of reversibility displaying a tremendous concentration dependence, as a novel organic/inorganic hybrid material with distinctive virtues can be potentially used in biological and medical fields, especially in drug nanocarriers for targeted therapy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel thermoplastic elastomers. II. Properties of star‐block copolymers of PSt‐b‐PIB arms emanating from cyclosiloxane cores

Select mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of star‐blocks consisting of 5–21 polystyrene‐b‐polyisobutylene (PSt‐b‐PIB) arms radiating from cyclosiloxane cores are described. The tensile properties of products containing 23–41 wt % of PSt are substantially higher (9.6–23.8 MPa) than those of linear triblocks of comparable arm molecular weights and compositions over the 25–85°C temperature range. The mechanical properties of star‐blocks seem to be much less sensitive to diblock contamination than linear triblock thermoplastic elastomers of similar hard/soft segment composition. The tensile strength of star‐blocks increases by increasing the number of arms (N_w,arm) and reaches a plateau in the N_w,arm = 5–10 range. Star‐blocks exhibit higher strengths with lower PSt segmental M_n than linear triblocks. Solvent cast triblock copolymers exhibit higher tensile strengths than compression molded products; however, star‐blocks show no significant property differences between cast and molded samples. The dynamic melt viscosities of the star‐blocks are substantially lower than those of linear triblocks with comparable hard/soft segment compositions, which is consistent with the star's unique microarchitecture and should lead to improved overall processibility. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 815–824, 1999     

Novel thermoplastic elastomers. III. Synthesis,characterization, and properties of star‐block copolymers of poly(indene‐b‐isobutylene) arms emanating from cyclosiloxane cores

Novel thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) consisting of poly(isobutylene‐b‐indene) (PIB‐b‐PInd) arms radiating from hexamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D) cores were prepared, characterized, and their properties investigated. The syntheses of these star‐blocks involved the linking by hydrosilation of PInd‐b‐PIB CH₂ CHCH₂ prearms to D. The prearms were obtained by initiating the living polymerization of Ind by the cumyl chloride (CumCl)/TiCl₄ or cumyl methoxide (CumOMe)/TiCl₄ systems, continuing by the sequential block copolymerization of IB, and concluding the synthesis by end quenching with allyltrimethylsilane (ATMS). Dedicated experiments were carried out to develop conditions for the various synthesis steps. Select mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties of TPE star‐blocks having 5–18 PInd‐b‐PIB arms have been investigated. Because of the high T_g of the glassy PInd segment (T_g,PInd = 170–220°C), these TPEs maintained their strength at higher temperatures than those of similar polystyrene‐based star blocks. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 279–290, 2000     

Supramolecular polyseudorotaxanes formation between star‐block copolymer and α‐cyclodextrin: From outer block to diblock inclusion complexation

A series of star‐block poly(L ‐lactide)‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide) (SPLLA‐b‐PEO) copolymers were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) and DCC chemistry. The inclusion complexes of SPLLA‐b‐PEO copolymers and α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) were prepared with two different methods. FTIR, ¹H NMR, WAXD, DSC, and TGA indicate that α‐CD only can be threaded onto PEO blocks in inclusion complexes of α‐CD‐SPLLA‐b‐PEO1.1K‐a, α‐CD‐SPLLA‐b‐PEO2K‐a, and α‐CD‐SPLLA‐b‐PEO5K‐a formed without heating and ultrasonication, and can be threaded onto both PLLA and PEO blocks in inclusion complexes of α‐CD‐SPLLA‐b‐PEO1.1K‐b, α‐CD‐SPLLA‐b‐PEO2K‐b, and α‐CD‐SPLLA‐b‐PEO5K‐b formed with heating and ultrasonication. Namely, α‐CDs can be threaded onto PEO blocks and the flanking bulky PLLA blocks of star‐block copolymers to form stable polyseudorotaxanes with heating method and ultrasonication to conquer the activation energy barrier of the inclusion complexation between bulky PLLA and α‐CD and the effect of the steric hindrance of star‐block copolymers. With the alteration of preparing methods, the inclusion complexes of α‐CD with the outer PEO block or PEO and PLLA blocks were obtained successfully. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2754–2762, 2009     

Tuning amphiphilicity/temperature‐induced self‐assembly and in‐situ disulfide crosslinking of reduction‐responsive block copolymers

New poly(ethylene oxide)‐based block copolymers (ssBCs) with a random copolymer block consisting of a reduction‐responsive disulfide‐labeled methacrylate (HMssEt) and a thermoresponsive di(ethylene glycol)‐containing methacrylate (MEO₂MA) units were synthesized. The ratio of HMssEt/MEO₂MA units in the random P(MEO₂MA‐co‐HMssEt) copolymer block enables the characteristics of well‐defined ssBCs to be amphiphilic or thermoresponsive and double hydrophilic. Their amphiphilicity or temperature‐induced self‐assembly results in nanoaggregates with hydrophobic cores having different densities of pendant disulfide linkages. The effect of disulfide crosslinking density on morphological variation of disulfide‐crosslinked nanogels is investigated. In response to reductive reactions, the partial cleavage of pendant disulfide linkages in the hydrophobic cores converts the physically associated aggregates to disulfide‐crosslinked nanogels. The occurrence of in‐situ disulfide crosslinks provides colloidal stability upon dilution. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2057–2067     

Synthesis of reactive three‐arm star‐shaped oligoimides with narrow molecular weight distribution

Series of star‐shaped three arms oligoimides (SOI) with terminal amino groups with narrow MWD ((M_w/M_n = 1.1–2) was synthesized by the one‐stage high‐temperature polycondensation in molten benzoic acid at 140 °C. The (B3+AB′) approach with the “slow addition of monomer” method was used for this synthesis, where B3 is 2,4,6‐tris(4‐aminophenoxy)toluene and AB′ is 3‐aminophenoxy phthalic acid. The SOI arm's length was controlled by the AB′/B3 mole ratio of 10:1, 20:1, 40:1, and 100:1. By the reaction of SOI's terminal amino groups with acetic anhydride, corresponding acetamide derivatives were obtained. SOI synthesized are soluble in selected organic solvents. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 2004–2009     

Synthesis and characterization of well‐defined [polystyrene‐b‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine)]n star‐block copolymers with poly(2‐vinylpyridine) corona blocks

This article describes the synthesis and characterization of [polystyrene‐b‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine)]_n star‐block copolymers with the poly(2‐vinylpyridine) blocks at the periphery. A two‐step living anionic polymerization method was used. Firstly, oligo(styryl)lithium grafted poly(divinylbenzene) cores were used as multifunctional initiators to initiate living anionic polymerization of styrene in benzene at room temperature. Secondly, vinylpyridine was polymerized at the periphery of these living (polystyrene)_n stars in tetrahydrofuran at ?78 °C. The resulting copolymers were characterized using size exclusion chromatography, multiangle laser light scattering, ¹H NMR, elemental analysis, and intrinsic viscosity measurements. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3949–3955, 2007     

Synthesis,crystallization, and morphology of star‐shaped poly(ε‐caprolactone)

Six‐arm star‐shaped poly(ε‐caprolactone) (sPCL) was successfully synthesized via the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone with a commercial dipentaerythritol as the initiator and stannous octoate (SnOct₂) as the catalyst in bulk at 120 °C. The effects of the molar ratios of both the monomer to the initiator and the monomer to the catalyst on the molecular weight of the polymer were investigated in detail. The molecular weight of the polymer linearly increased with the molar ratio of the monomer to the initiator, and the molecular weight distribution was very low (weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight = 1.05–1.24). However, the molar ratio of the monomer to the catalyst had no apparent influence on the molecular weight of the polymer. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated that the maximal melting point, cold crystallization temperature, and degree of crystallinity of the sPCL polymers increased with increasing molecular weight, and crystallinities of different sizes and imperfect crystallization possibly did not exist in the sPCL polymers. Furthermore, polarized optical microscopy analysis indicated that the crystallization rate of the polymers was in the order of linear poly(ε‐caprolactone) (LPCL) > sPCL5 > sPCL1 (sPCL5 had a higher molecular weight than both sPCL1 and LPCL, which had similar molecular weights). Both LPCL and sPCL5 exhibited a good spherulitic morphology with apparent Maltese cross patterns, whereas sPCL1 showed a poor spherulitic morphology. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 5449–5457, 2005     

Amphiphilic star‐block copolymers based on a hyperbranched core: Synthesis and supramolecular self‐assembly

Novel amphiphilic star‐block copolymers, star poly(caprolactone)‐block‐poly[(2‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] and poly(caprolactone)‐block‐poly(methacrylic acid), with hyperbranched poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA–OH) as a core moiety were synthesized and characterized. The star‐block copolymers were prepared by a combination of ring‐opening polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First, hyperbranched PHEMA–OH with 18 hydroxyl end groups on average was used as an initiator for the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone to produce PHEMA–PCL star homopolymers [PHEMA = poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate); PCL = poly(caprolactone)]. Next, the hydroxyl end groups of PHEMA–PCL were converted to 2‐bromoesters, and this gave rise to macroinitiator PHEMA–PCL–Br for ATRP. Then, 2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate or tert‐butyl methacrylate was polymerized from the macroinitiators, and this afforded the star‐block copolymers PHEMA–PCL–PDMA [PDMA = poly(2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)] and PHEMA–PCL–PtBMA [PtBMA = poly(tert‐butyl methacrylate)]. Characterization by gel permeation chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed the expected molecular structure. The hydrolysis of tert‐butyl ester groups of the poly(tert‐butyl methacrylate) blocks gave the star‐block copolymer PHEMA–PCL–PMAA [PMAA = poly(methacrylic acid)]. These amphiphilic star‐block copolymers could self‐assemble into spherical micelles, as characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6534–6544, 2005