Block copolymers derived from polyisobutylene oligomers

The synthesis of polyvalent functionalized polyisobutylene (PIB) oligomers containing multiple polar groups via radical polymerization is described. Polymerizations from PIB macroinitiators via alkylborane intermediates can form block copolymers but the polar block is consistently larger than the PIB block and unless a hydrophobic monomer is used, the products are insoluble in alkanes. Block copolymer products from ATRP macroinitiators are formed with more control over the degree of polymerization of a polar block from a 1000 Da PIB starting material but are still alkane insoluble because the degree of polymerization of the polar block was consistently equal to or greater than the degree of polymerization of the PIB block. RAFT polymerization using 5 mol % of azoisobutyronitrile relative to a PIB macroinitiator however was successful in producing acceptable yields of alkane soluble block copolymers using a 1000 Da PIB starting material and monomers like methyl methacrylacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, N,N‐dimethylacrylamide, and N‐isopropylacrylamide. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1860–1867     

Construction of PIB‐b‐PDEAEMA well‐defined amphiphilic diblock copolymers via sequential living carbocationic and RAFT polymerization

A series of well‐defined amphiphilic diblock copolymers consisting of hydrophobic polyisobutylene (PIB) and hydrophilic poly(2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDEAEMA) segments was synthesized via the combination of living carbocationic polymerization and reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Living carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene followed by end‐capping with 1,3‐butadiene was first performed at ?70 °C to give a well‐defined allyl‐Cl‐terminated PIB with a low polydispersity (M_w/M_n =1.29). This end‐functionalized PIB was further converted to a macromolecular chain transfer agent for mediating RAFT block copolymerization of 2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate at 60 °C in tetrahydrofuran to afford the target well‐defined PIB‐b‐PDEAEMA diblock copolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n ≤1.22). The self‐assembly behavior of these amphiphilic diblock copolymers in aqueous media was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope, and furthermore, their pH‐responsive behavior was studied by UV‐vis and dynamic light scattering. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1478–1486     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Diblock Copolymer of Methyl Methacrylate and Vinyl Acetate by Successive Photo‐Induced Charge Transfer Polymerization Using Ethanolamine as the Parent Compound

Communication: A diblock copolymer consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) with hydroxyl group at one end is prepared by successive charge transfer polymerization (CTP) under UV irradiation at room temperature using ethanolamine and benzophenone as a binary initiation system. The diblock copolymer PMMA‐b‐PVAc could be selectively hydrolyzed to the block copolymer of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) using sodium ethoxide as the catalyst. Both copolymers, PMMA‐b‐PVAc and PMMA‐b‐PVA, are characterized in detail by means of FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and GPC. The effect of the solvent on CTP and the kinetics of CTP are discussed.     

Preparation and Application of Double Hydrophilic Block Copolymer Particles

The preparation of some unique block copolymers and block copolymer particles via radical heterophase polymerization is described. Special emphasis is placed on double hydrophilic block copolymers such as poly(styrene sulfonic acid)-b-poly(methacrylic acid) diblock copolymer and double hydrophilic block copolymer particles consisting of both hydrophilic shells and cross-linked hydrophilic cores. Examples are given for the application of such particles as adsorbents, nano-reactors for chemical synthesis, and as colloidal stabilizers in both heterophase polymerization and biomineralization reactions.     

Well‐defined poly[(dimethylamimo)ethyl methacrylate]‐b‐poly(fluoroalkyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers: Effects of different fluoroalkyl groups on the solution properties

A series of well‐defined, fluorinated diblock copolymers, poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]‐b‐poly(2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate) (PDMA‐b‐PTFMA), poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]‐b‐poly(2,2,3,4,4,4‐hexafluorobutyl methacrylate) (PDMA‐b‐PHFMA), and poly[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]‐b‐poly(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5‐octafluoropentyl methacrylate) (PDMA‐b‐POFMA), have been synthesized successfully via oxyanion‐initiated polymerization. Potassium benzyl alcoholate (BzO^?K⁺) was used to initiate DMA monomer to yield the first block PDMA. If not quenched, the first living chain could be subsequently used to initiate a feed F‐monomer (such as TFMA, HFMA, or OFMA) to produce diblock copolymers containing different poly(fluoroalkyl methacrylate) moieties. The composition and chemical structure of these fluorinated copolymers were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) techniques. The solution behaviors of these copolymers containing (tri‐, hexa‐, or octa‐ F‐atom)FMA were investigated by the measurements of surface tension, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and UV spectrophotometer. The results indicate that these fluorinated copolymers possess relatively high surface activity, especially at neutral media. Moreover, the DLS and UV measurements showed that these fluorinated diblock copolymers possess distinct pH/temperature‐responsive properties, depending not only on the PDMA segment but also on the fluoroalkyl structure of the FMA units. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2702–2712, 2009     

Thermoreversible gelation of poly(ethylene oxide) biodegradable polyester block copolymers. II

Poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(L-lactic acid) (PEO-PLLA) diblock copolymers were synthesized via a ring opening polymerization from poly(ethylene oxide) and l -lactide. Stannous octoate was used as a catalyst in a solution polymerization with toluene as the solvent. Their physicochemical properties were investigated by using infrared spectroscopy, ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry, as well as the observational data of gel-sol transitions in aqueous solutions. Aqueous solutions of PEO-PLLA diblock copolymers changed from a gel phase to a sol phase with increasing temperature when their polymer concentrations are above a critical gel concentration. As the PLLA block length increased, the gel-sol transition temperature increased. For comparison, diblock copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(l -lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) [PEO-P(LLA/GA)] and poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(dl -lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) [PEO-P(DLLA/GA)] were synthesized by the same methods, and their gel-sol transition behaviors were also investigated. The gel-sol transition properties of these diblock copolymers are influenced by the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of the copolymer, block length, hydrophobicity, and stereoregularity of the hydrophobic block of the copolymer. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2207–2218, 1999     

Synthesis of Poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate)-polyisobutylene ABCBA Pentablock Copolymers by Combining Quasiliving Carbocationic and Atom Transfer Radical Polymerizations and Characterization Thereof

Novel, unique amphiphilic pentablock terpolymers consisting of the highly hydrophobic polyisobutylene (PIB) mid-segment attached to the hydrophilic combshaped poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (PPEGMA) polymacromonomer chains, which are coupled to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) outer segments were synthesized by the combination of quasiliving carbocationic polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First, a bifunctional PIB macroinitiator was prepared by quasiliving carbocationic polymerization and subsequent quantitative chain end derivatizations. Quasiliving ATRP of PEGMAs with different molecular weights (M_n = 188, 300 and 475 g/mol) led to triblock copolymers which were further reacted with MMA under ATRP conditions to obtain PMMA-PPEGMA-PIB-PPEGMA-PMMA ABCBA-type pentablock copolymers. It was found that slow initiation takes place between the PIB macroinitiator and PEGMA macromonomers with higher molecular weights via ATRP. ATRP of MMA with the resulting block copolymers composed of PIB and PPEGMA chain segments led to the desired block copolymers with high initiating efficiency. Investigations of the resulting pentablock copolymers by DSC, SAXS and phase mode AFM revealed that nanophase separation occurs in these new macromolecular structures with average domain distances of 11-14 nm, and local lamellar self-assembly takes place in the pentablocks with PPEGMA polymacromonomer segments of PEGMAs with M_n of 118 g/mol and 300 g/mol, while disordered nanophases are observed in the block copolymer with PEGMA having molecular weight of 475 g/mol. These new amphiphilic block copolymers composed of biocompatible chain segments can find applications in a variety of advanced fields.     

Novel fluoroalkyl end-capped amphiphilic diblock copolymers with pH/temperature response and self-assembly behavior

A series of fluoroalkyl end-capped diblock copolymers of poly[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA or PDMA) and poly[2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDEAEMA or PDEA) have been synthesized via oxyanion-initiated polymerization, in which a potassium alcoholate of 4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,7-nonafluoro-1-heptanol (NFHOK) was used as an initiator. The chemical structures of the NFHO-PDMA-b-PDEA and NFHO-PDEA-b-PDMA depended on the addition sequence of the two monomers and the feeding molar ratios of [DMA] to [DEA] during the polymerization process. These copolymers have been characterized by (1)H NMR and (19)F NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The aggregation behavior of these copolymers in aqueous solutions at different pH media was studied using a combination of surface tension, fluorescence probe, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both diblock copolymers exhibited distinct pH/temperature-responsive properties. The critical aggregation concentrations (cacs) of these copolymers have been investigated, and the results showed that these copolymers possess excellent surface activity. Besides, these fluoroalkyl end-capped diblock copolymers showed pH-induced lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) in water. TEM analysis indicated that the NFHO-PDMA(30)-b-PDEA(10) diblock copolymers can self-assemble into the multicompartment micelles in aqueous solutions under basic conditions, in which the pH value is higher than the pKa values of both PDMA and PDEA homopolymers, while the NFHO-PDEA(10)-b-PDMA(30) diblock copolymers can form flowerlike micelles in basic aqueous solution.     

Latices of poly(fluoroalkyl mathacrylate)‐b‐poly(butyl methacrylate) copolymers prepared via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization

Poly(fluoroalkyl mathacrylate)‐block‐poly(butyl methacrylate) diblock copolymer latices were synthesized by a two‐step process. In the first step, a homopolymer end‐capped with a dithiobenzoyl group [poly(fluoroalkyl mathacrylate) (PFAMA) or poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA)] was prepared in bulk via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with 2‐cyanoprop‐2‐yl dithiobenzoate as a RAFT agent. In the second step, the homopolymer chain‐transfer agent (macro‐CTA) was dissolved in the second monomer, mixed with a water phase containing a surfactant, and then ultrasonicated to form a miniemulsion. Subsequently, the RAFT‐mediated miniemulsion polymerization of the second monomer (butyl methacrylate or fluoroalkyl mathacrylate) was carried out in the presence of the first block macro‐CTA. The influence of the polymerization sequence of the two kinds of monomers on the colloidal stability and molecular weight distribution was investigated. Gel permeation chromatography analyses and particle size results indicated that using the PFAMA macro‐CTA as the first block was better than using the PBMA RAFT agent with respect to the colloidal stability and the narrow molecular weight distribution of the F‐copolymer latices. The F‐copolymers were characterized with ¹H NMR, ¹⁹F NMR, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Comparing the contact angle of a water droplet on a thin film formed by the fluorinated copolymer with that of PBMA, we found that for the diblock copolymers containing a fluorinated block, the surface energy decreased greatly, and the hydrophobicity increased. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 471–484, 2007     

Poly(acrylate‐b‐styrene‐b‐isobutylene‐b‐styrene‐b‐acrylate) Block Copolymers via Carbocationic and Atom Transfer Radical Polymerizations

A series of polyacrylate‐polystyrene‐polyisobutylene‐polystyrene‐polyacrylate (X‐PS‐PIB‐PS‐X) pentablock terpolymers (X=poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA), or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)) was prepared from poly (styrene‐b‐isobutylene‐b‐styrene) (PS‐PIB‐PS) block copolymers (BCPs) using either a Cu(I)Cl/1,1,4,7,7‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) or Cu(I)Cl/tris[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine (Me₆TREN) catalyst system. The PS‐PIB‐PS BCPs were prepared by quasiliving carbocationic polymerization of isobutylene using a difunctional initiator, followed by the sequential addition of styrene, and were used as macroinitiators for the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl acrylate (MA), n‐butyl acrylate (BA), or methyl methacrylate (MMA). The ATRP of MA and BA proceeded in a controlled fashion using either a Cu(I)Cl/PMDETA or Cu(I)Cl/Me₆TREN catalyst system, as evidenced by a linear increase in molecular weight with conversion and low PDIs. The polymerization of MMA was less controlled. ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy was used to elucidate pentablock copolymer structure and composition. The thermal stabilities of the pentablock copolymers were slightly less than the PS‐PIB‐PS macroinitiators due to the presence of polyacrylate or polymethacrylate outer block segments. DSC analysis of the pentablock copolymers showed a plurality of glass transition temperatures, indicating a phase separated material.     

Synthesis and self‐assembly of diblock copolymers composed of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and poly(fluorooctyl methacrylate) segments

Regioregular poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐b‐poly(1H,1H‐dihydro perfluorooctyl methacrylate) (P3HT‐b‐PFOMA) diblock copolymers were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization of fluorooctyl methacrylate using bromoester terminated poly(3‐hexylthiophene) macroinitiators in order to investigate their morphological properties. The P3HT macroinitiator was previously prepared by chemical modification of hydroxy terminated P3HT. The block copolymers were well characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the nanostructured morphology of the diblock copolymers. The block copolymers are able to undergo microphase separation and self‐assemble into well‐defined and organized nanofibrillar‐like micellar morphology. The development of the morphology of P3HT‐b‐PFOMA block copolymers was investigated after annealing in solvent vapor and also in supercritical CO₂. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Surface patterns of block copolymers in thin layers after vapor treatment

A systematic study of formation of surface patterns in block copolymer thin layers after their exposure to solvent vapors was performed. The studied effect involves layers of thickness approximately equal to the ordering size of polymers - about 45 nm. Experiments were performed on three styrene - methacrylate derivative block copolymers, synthesized by living anionic polymerization: poly(4-octylstyrene)-block-poly(butyl methacrylate), poly(4-fluorostyrene)-block-poly(butyl methacrylate) and poly(p-octylstyrene)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate). The polymers were exposed to vapors of chloroform, 1,4-dioxane, hexane, acetone and tetrahydrofuran.     

Synthesis and characterization of well‐defined block and statistical copolymers based on lauryl methacrylate and 2‐(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate using RAFT‐controlled radical polymerization

Four well‐defined diblock copolymers and one statistical copolymer based on lauryl methacrylate (LauMA) and 2‐(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate (AEMA) were prepared using reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The polymers were characterized in terms of molecular weights, polydispersity indices (ranging between 1.12 and 1.23) and compositions by size exclusion chromatography and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, respectively. The preparation of the block copolymers was accomplished following a two‐step methodology: First, well‐defined LauMA homopolymers were prepared by RAFT using cumyl dithiobenzoate as the chain transfer agent (CTA). Kinetic studies revealed that the polymerization of LauMA followed first‐order kinetics demonstrating the “livingness” of the RAFT process. The pLauMAs were subsequently used as macro‐CTA for the polymerization of AEMA. The glass transition (T_g) and decomposition temperatures (ranging between 200 and 300 °C) of the copolymers were determined using differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis, respectively. The T_gs of the LauMA homopolymers were found to be around ?53 °C. Block copolymers exhibited two T_gs suggesting microphase separation in the bulk whereas the statistical copolymer presented a single T_g as expected. Furthermore, the micellization behavior of pLauMA‐b‐pAEMA block copolymers was investigated in n‐hexane, a selective solvent for the LauMA block, using dynamic light scattering. pLauMA‐b‐pAEMA block copolymers formed spherical micelles in dilute hexane solutions with hydrodynamic diameters ranging between 30 and 50 nm. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5442–5451, 2008     

Novel synthesis of biodegradable poly(lactide-co-ethylene glycol) block copolymers

Biodegradable and amphiphilic diblock copolymers [polylactide-block-poly(ethylene glycol)] and triblock copolymers [polylactide-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-polylactide] were synthesized by the anionic ring-opening polymerization of lactides in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether or poly(ethylene glycol) and potassium hexamethyldisilazide as a catalyst. The polymerization in toluene at room temperature was very fast, yielding copolymers of controlled molecular weights and tailored molecular architectures. The chemical structure of the copolymers was investigated with ¹H and ¹³C NMR. The formation of block copolymers was confirmed by ¹³C NMR and differential scanning calorimetry investigations. The monomodal profile of the molecular weight distribution by gel permeation chromatography provided further evidence of block copolymer formation as well as the absence of cyclic species. Additional confirmation of the block copolymers was obtained by the substitution of 2-butanol for poly(ethylene glycol); butyl groups were clearly identified by ¹H NMR as polymer chain end groups. The effects of the copolymer composition and lactide stereochemistry on the copolymer properties were examined. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2235–2245, 2007     

Synthesis and micelle formation of triblock copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) in aqueous solution

Amphiphilic triblock copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA-b-PEO-b-PMMA) with well-defined structure were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by the PEO macroinitiator. The macroinitiator and triblock copolymer with different PMMA and/or PEO block lengths were characterized with ¹H and ¹³C NMR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The micelle formed by these triblock copolymers in aqueous solutions was detected by fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of pyrene probe. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) ranged from 0.0019 to 0.016 mg/mL and increased with increasing PMMA block length, while the PEO block length had less effect on the CMC. The partition constant K_v for pyrene in the micelle and in aqueous solution was about 10⁵. The triblock copolymer appeared to form the micelles with hydrophobic PMMA core and hydrophilic PEO loop chain corona. The hydrodynamic radius R_h,app of the micelle measured with dynamic light scattering (DLS) ranged from 17.3 to 24.0 nm and increased with increasing PEO block length to form thicker corona. The spherical shape of the micelle of the triblock copolymers was observed with an atomic force microscope (AFM). Increasing hydrophobic PMMA block length effectively promoted the micelle formation in aqueous solutions, but the micelles were stable even only with short PMMA blocks.     

Random and AB diblock copolymers of tricyclodecanemethanol urethane methacrylate with styrene: Synthesis and morphology characterization

A monomer design having a bulky terminal tricyclodecane (TCD) unit linked via hydrogen bondable urethane to an ethyleneoxy methacrylate unit, and capable of generating three‐dimensional honeycomb patterns upon solvent casting has been investigated. Random copolymers as well as a diblock copolymer Poly(Sty₄₂‐b‐TCD₁₈) of this monomer with styrene were prepared by free‐radical polymerization route and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) route. Morphology characterization was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Particle size was measured by dynamic light scattering measurements (DLS). Irrespective of the wide differences in molecular weight and polydispersity index values, the random copolymers having TCD content >30 mol % were found to form microporous films upon solvent casting from a THF/water 9:1 solvent combination. The amount of TCD in the copolymer was found to have an influence on the pore size formed. The diblock copolymer formed microspheres ～200 nm in diameter. The thermal properties of all the polymers were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the copolymers were found to have good thermal stability. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1278–1288, 2008     

Poly(vinyl alcohol)-based Amphiphilic Copolymer Aggregates as Drug Carrying Nanoparticles

A series of amphiphilic polyisobutylene-block-poly(vinyl alcohol) (PIB-b-PVA) copolymers of constant PIB and varying PVA block length was synthesized by living carbocationic polymerization and their solution behavior was studied. The synthesis involved the preparation of polyisobutylene-b-poly(tert.-butyl vinyl ether) followed by hydrolysis with hydrogen bromide. The copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, ¹H-NMR, and MALDI-TOF MS methods. The micellization behavior of the copolymers was investigated in aqueous media by direct dissolution and dialysis using static and dynamic light scattering. The critical micelle concentration, micelle size, aggregation number, and micelle shape were determined. The ability of the aggregates as drug carrying nanodevices was also investigated by doping them with indomethacin. UV-Vis measurements showed that the solubility of indomethacine increased significantly. Our findings suggest that the solubility is largely dependent upon the block segment ratios.     

Synthesis of sterically stabilized polystyrene latex particles using cationic block copolymers and macromonomers and their application as stimulus-responsive particulate emulsifiers for oil-in-water emulsions

2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMA) was block copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) using group transfer polymerization to give four AB diblock, ABA triblock, and BAB triblock copolymers of low polydispersity (Mw/Mn < 1.20). In addition, a near-monodisperse styrene-functionalized DMA-based macromonomer was synthesized via oxyanionic polymerization using a potassium 4-vinylbenzyl alcoholate initiator. These five well-defined, tertiary amine methacrylate-based copolymers were evaluated as steric stabilizers for the synthesis of polystyrene latexes via emulsion and dispersion polymerization. The most efficient steric stabilizers proved to be the DMA-MMA diblock copolymer and the DMA-based macromonomer. The polystyrene latexes were characterized in terms of their particle size and morphology, stabilizer content, surface charge, and surface activity using dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy, aqueous electrophoresis measurements, and surface tensiometry, respectively. The pH-dependent surface activity exhibited by selected latexes suggests potential applications as stimulus-responsive particulate emulsifiers for oil-in-water emulsions.     

The synthesis and solution behaviors of novel amphiphilic block copolymers based on d-galactopyranose and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate

A series of novel stimuli-responsive AB, ABA, and BAB type block copolymers based on 6-O-methacryloyl-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-d-galactopyranose (MAIpGP:A block) and 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA: B block) were synthesized via ATRP techniques using ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate (EBiB) as monofunctional ATRP initiator in the case of diblock copolymer and diethyl meso-2,5-dibromoadipate (DEDBA) as bifunctional ATRP initiator in the case of triblock copolymers. The PMAIpGP blocks of the AB, ABA, and BAB type linear block copolymers were converted to water soluble PMAGP blocks via deprotection process under mild acidic conditions. Both proton NMR and DLS studies demonstrated that block copolymers were temperature-sensitive, whereby the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of polymers varied with the polymerization degrees of comonomers in the block copolymers. LCST was determined to be between ∼35 °C and 55 °C depending on the type and the comonomer compositions of the block copolymers. It was observed that an increase on the percentage of hydrophilic PMAGP block in block copolymer caused an increase on the LCST value as expected.     

Combination of living anionic polymerization and ATRP via ��click�� chemistry as a versatile route to multiple responsive triblock terpolymers and corresponding hydrogels

A combination of anionic polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and ??click?? chemistry was used to construct trishydrophilic ABC triblock terpolymers composed of a pH-sensitive A block, a water-soluble B block and two different thermo-sensitive C blocks without any block sequence limitation problems. First, an azido end-functionalized poly(2-vinylpyridine)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (P2VP-b-PEO-N₃) diblock copolymer was synthesized by anionic polymerization. In a second step, poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) and poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (POEGMA) were synthesized via ATRP using an alkyne functionalized initiator. The resulting polymers were attached to the P2VP-b-PEO-N₃ diblock copolymer using the 1,3-dipolar Huisgen cycloaddition (??click?? chemistry). For the ??click?? step, P2VP-b-PEO-N₃ diblock copolymers with either an azidoacetyl or a 2-azidoisobutyryl group were tested. In the latter case, however, a side reaction involving the cleavage of the formed ??click?? product via nucleophilic substitution occurred, preventing a permanent attachment of PDMAEMA or POEGMA to the P2VP-b-PEO-N₃ diblock copolymer. Finally, P2VP-b-PEO-b-POEGMA (with POEGMA=P(MEO₂MA-co-MEO_8.5MA)) and P2VP-b-PEO-b-PDMAEMA triblock terpolymers were successfully synthesized and used to construct stimuli-responsive hydrogels. A concentrated solution of P2VP₅₆-b-PEO₃₇₀-b-P[(MEO₂MA)₈₉-co-(MEO_8.5MA)₇] showed a gel?Csol?Cgel transition at pH?7 upon temperature increase, whereas in the case of P2VP₅₆-b-PEO₃₇₀-b-PDMAEMA₇₀, a gel?Csol or a weak gel?Cstrong gel transition was observed, depending on the applied pH. Finally, the addition of trivalent hexacyanocobaltate(III) ions to the P2VP₅₆-b-PEO₃₇₀-b-PDMAEMA₇₀ solution induced an upper critical solution temperature for the PDMAEMA block, which led to gel formation. This allows for the construction of light-sensitive hydrogels, utilizing the photo-aquation of hexacyanocobaltate(III) ions.