N-vinyl carbazole copolymers

The synthesis of N-vinyl carbazole (VCbz) copolymers, some of which contain electron-accepting groups, is described. The new copolymers are: copoly[N-vinyl carbazole-di(2-N-carbazylethyl)-fumarate](II); copoly(N-vinyl carbazole-vinyl-2,4-dinitrobenzene-sulfonate)(IV); copoly(N-vinyl carbazole-vinyl-2,4-dinitrobenzene-sulfenate)(V); copoly(n-butyl acrylate-t-butyl peracrylate)(VII); copoly(n-butyl acrylate-t-butyl acrylate-graft-N-vinyl carbazole)(VIII).     

Syntheses and antitumor activities of medium molecular weight polymers containing 5-fluorouracil

The new monomer α-ethoxy-3,6-endo-methylene-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthaloyl-5-fluorouracil (EMTFU) was synthesized from 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and α-ethoxy-3,6-endo-methylene-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthaloyl chloride (EMTC). Poly(α-ethoxy-3,6-endomethylene-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthaloyl-5-fluorouracil) [poly(EMTFU)], poly(α-ethoxy-3,6-endo-methylene-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthaloyl-5-fluorouracil-co-acrylic acid) [poly(EMTFU-co-AA)], and poly(α-ethoxy-3,6-endomethylene-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthaloyl-5-fluorouracil-co-vinyl acetate) [poly(EMTFU-co-VAc)] were synthesized by photopolymerizations using 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMP) as the photoinitiator. The synthesized EMTFU and its polymers were identified by Fourier transfer infrared (FT-IR), ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopies. The contents of EMTFU in poly(EMTFU-co-AA) and poly(EMTFU-co-VAc) determined by elemental analysis were 46 and 70 mol %, respectively. The number average molecular weights of the synthesized polymers determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were in range of 17,200–20,900. The in vitro cytotoxicities of samples were evaluated with mouse mammary carcinoma (FM3A), mouse leukemia (P388), and human histiocytic lymphoma (U937) as cancer cell lines and AC2F as a normal cell line. The cytotoxicities of 5-FU and synthesized samples against cancer cell lines increased in following orders: 5-FU ≈ EMTFU > poly(EMTFU-co-AA) > poly(EMTFU) > poly(EMTFU-co-VAc). The in vivo antitumor activities of the synthesized samples against mice bearing the sarcoma 180 tumor cell line were evaluated. The in vivo antitumor activities of EMTFU and its polymers were greater than those of 5-FU at a dosage of 80 mg/kg. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2985–2992, 1998     

Synthesis and thermal analysis of linear triblock copolymers based on methacrylate ester

Two linear triblock copolymers poly(t-butyl methacrylate-b-2-hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate-b-N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PtBMA₉₇-b-PHEMA₁₈-b-PDMAEMA₉₈) and poly(t-butyl methacrylate-b-glycidyl methacrylate-b-styrene) (PtBMA₁₃₇-b-PGMA₂₃-b-PSt₁₅₆) were controlled synthesized with living RAFT polymerization technique under the chain transfer of cumyl dithiobenzoate. The results of FT-IR spectra illustrate that the characteristic groups of copolymer fit well with the result of ¹H-NMR, which successfully determines the corresponding molecular structure of triblock copolymers. The thermal stability of PtBMA-b-PGMA-b-PSt and PtBMA-b-PHEMA-b-PDMAEMA was also complementarily explained by the activation energy of thermal decomposition from Friedman differential method and Ozawa–Flynn–Wall integral method. The results show that the degradation energy of the former copolymer was much higher than that of the latter copolymer, because the aromatic groups were introduced into the polymer segments of the former copolymer during the RAFT polymerization process, and the other reason is the oxirane rings are typically reactive which they occurred intermolecular crosslinking reaction during the thermal decomposition.     

Synthesis and aggregation behaviour of amphiphilic block copolymers with random middle block

The effect of microstructure on the aggregation behaviour of symmetrical di- and triblock copolymers P(BMA)-b-P(MAA) and P(BMA)-b-P(BMA-co-MAA)-b-P(MAA) with a molecular weight of 40,000 g/mol was studied. The critical micelle concentration, hydrodynamic radius and morphology of the micelles were determined by fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and scanning force microscopy (SFM). Whereas no effect of the microstructure on the critical micelle concentration could be detected, the hydrodynamic radius decreased from di- to triblock copolymer from 53 to 36 nm. The decrease of about 32% corresponds to the length of the random middle block within the triblock copolymer so that the reduction in hydrodynamic radius was caused by a complete orientation of the random middle block at the core corona interface. Finally, the SFM investigation showed that dehydration of micelles on a substrate is accompanied by formation of a physisorbed monolayer with a thickness of 2 nm on which the micelles are deposited.     

Hydrophobically controlled self‐association of pH‐ and thermo‐sensitive triblock copolymers based on poly(acrylic acid‐co‐tert‐butyl acrylate) and poly(propylene oxide)

Aqueous solution properties of amphiphilic P(AA‐co‐tBA)‐b‐PPO‐b‐ P(AA‐co‐tBA) copolymers having various tBA contents are presented in this article. These copolymers show pH‐sensitive behavior depending on tBA/AA ratio. Hydrophobic interactions between tBA units leading to pH‐dependent macroscopic aggregates were evidenced by turbidimetry. The aggregation behavior of the PPO middle block was concealed in presence of tBA units. The formation of water‐soluble aggregated objects was characterized by Asymmetrical Flow Field Flow Fractionation (AsF4). By increasing tBA/AA ratio, we observed an increase of aggregates size as well as a reduction of the critical concentration aggregation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1944–1949     

Synthesis,surface properties,and morphologies of poly[methyl(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl)siloxane]‐b‐polystyrene‐b‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) triblock copolymers by a combination of anionic ROP and ATRP

A series of well‐defined poly[methyl(3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl)siloxane]‐b‐polystyrene‐b‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PMTFPS‐b‐PS‐b‐PtBA) triblock copolymers were prepared by a combination of anionic ring‐opening polymerization of 1,3,5‐trimethyl‐1,3,5‐tris(3′,3′,3′‐trifluoropropyl)cyclotrisiloxane (F₃), and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene (St) and tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA), using the obtained α‐bromoisobutyryl‐terminal PMTFPS (PMTFPS‐Br) as the macroinitiators. The ATRP of St from PMTFPS‐Br, as well as the ATRP of tBA from the obtained PMTFPS‐b‐PS‐Br macroinitiators, has typical characteristic of controlled/living polymerization. The results of contact angle measurements for the films of PMTFPS‐b‐PS‐b‐PtBA triblock copolymers demonstrate that the compositions have an effect on the wetting behavior of the copolymer films. For the copolymer films with different compositions, there may be different macroscale or nanoscale structures on the outmost layer of the copolymer surfaces. The films with high content of PtBA blocks exhibit almost no ordered microstructures on the outmost layer of the copolymer surfaces, even though they have microphase‐separated structures in bulk. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Thermal crosslinking of poly(methyl methacrylate) by reaction of methyl ester and quaternary ammonium salt and application to (meth)acrylate-based TPEs

Copolymers of N-vinylbenzyl N-methyl pyrrolidinium chloride (VBMPC) and methyl methacrylate, PVBMPC-co-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), were synthesized by free-radical copolymerization and proved to be prone to crosslinking as a result of the reaction of methyl ester groups with benzyl methyl pyrrolidinium chloride (BMPC) moieties at temperatures higher than 110 °C. When the VBMPC content was lower than 20 wt %, these copolymers were miscible with homo-PMMA. Blends of homo-PMMA and PVBMPC-co-PMMA fully could be cured above 150 °C, when the molecular weight of PMMA exceeded 10,000 and the VBMPC content of the copolymer was higher than 5 wt %. This reaction was carried out to crosslink selectively the PMMA microdomains of PMMA-b-poly(isooctyl acrylate) (PIOA)-b-PMMA (MIM) triblock copolymers to explain the mechanism for the mechanical failure of fully (meth)acrylic thermoplastic elastomers. Comparison of the ultimate tensile properties of MIM block copolymers, when the dispersed PMMA phases and PIOA matrix were crosslinked, led to the conclusion that the ductile failure of the hard PMMA microdomains rather than the elastic failure of the PIOA matrix was the reason for the mechanical failure of MIM triblocks. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4402–4411, 1999     

Thermo‐ and pH‐sensitive triblock copolymers with tunable hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties

Polymers consisting of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and statistical poly[(acrylic acid)‐co‐(tert‐butylacrylate)] (P(AA‐co‐tBA)), attached to both extremities of Jeffamine® (D series based on a poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) with one amine function at each end) using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) are presented in this article. An original bifunctional amide‐based macroinitiator was first elaborated from Jeffamine®. tBA polymerization was subsequently initiated from this macroinitiator. This polymerization occurs in a well‐controlled manner leading to narrow molecular weights distribution. Amphiphilic copolymers were finally obtained after complete or partial hydrolysis of the PtBA blocks into PAA. The control of the partial hydrolysis of tBA units, conducted in a concentrated HCl/tetrahydrofuran mixture, is demonstrated. The properties of the triblock copolymers were preliminary investigated in aqueous solution by absorbance, DLS measurements and SEC/MALS/DV/DRI analysis as a function of temperature and pH modifications, providing evidences of thermo‐ and pH‐sensitive self‐assembly of the copolymers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2606–2616     

PEG‐b‐PtBA‐b‐PHEMA well‐defined amphiphilic triblock copolymer: Synthesis,self‐assembly,and application in drug delivery

A series of well‐defined amphiphilic triblock copolymers, poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate)‐b‐poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PEG‐b‐PtBA‐b‐PHEMA), were synthesized via successive atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). ATRP of tBA was first initiated by PEG‐Br macroinitiator using CuBr/N,N,N′,N″,N′″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as catalytic system to give PEG‐b‐PtBA diblock copolymer. This copolymer was then used as macroinitiator to initiate ATRP of HEMA, which afforded the target triblock copolymer, PEG‐b‐PtBA‐b‐PHEMA. The critical micelle concentrations of obtained amphiphilic triblock copolymers were determined by fluorescence spectroscopy using N‐phenyl‐1‐naphthylamine as probe. The morphology and size of formed aggregates were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, respectively. Finally, an acid‐sensitive PEG‐b‐PtBA‐b‐P(HEMA‐CAD) prodrug via cis‐aconityl linkage between doxorubicin and hydroxyls of triblock copolymers with a high drug loading content up to 38%, was prepared to preliminarily explore the application of triblock copolymer in drug delivery. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Hydrogen bond mediated self-assembly of two diblock copolymers

Two chemically dissimilar diblock copolymers, polybutadiene-b-poly(acrylic acid), PBd-b-PAA (M_w = 5.8–4 kg mol⁻¹) and poly(styrene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide), PS-b-PEO (M_w = 9–5 kg mol⁻¹) were blended in an effort to achieve morphologies typical of triblock copolymers. Blend compatibility was achieved by the hydrogen bond driven association of the PAA block of one diblock with the PEO block of the other. Small angle X-ray scattering was used to determine the morphologies of the compositions, which were further investigated using transmission electron microscopy and selective staining techniques. The crystallinity of the PEO block was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The hydrogen bond interactions between PEO and PAA yielded a complex triblock lamellar morphology of the form PS-b-(PEO/PAA)-b-PBd-b-(PEO/PAA). This morphology was stable when crystallization of PEO was suppressed by sufficient interaction with PAA.     

Synthesis and self‐assembly of thermosensitive double‐hydrophilic poly(N‐vinylcaprolactam)‐b‐poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) diblock copolymers

We report on novel diblock copolymers of poly(N‐vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL) and poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) (PVPON) (PVCL‐b‐PVPON) with well‐defined block lengths synthesized by the MADIX/reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process. We show that the lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) of the block copolymers are controllable over the length of PVCL and PVPON segments. All of the diblock copolymers dissolve molecularly in aqueous solutions when the temperature is below the LCST and form spherical micellar or vesicular morphologies when temperature is raised above the LCST. The size of the self‐assembled structures is controlled by the molar ratio of PVCL and PVPON segments. The synthesized homopolymers and diblock copolymers are demonstrated to be nontoxic at 0.1–1 mg mL^?1 concentrations when incubated with HeLa and HEK293 cancer cells for various incubation times and have potential as nanovehicles for drug delivery. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2725–2737     

Living Carbocationic Polymerization. LII. Living Carbocationic Copolymerization of Indene and p-Methylstyrene. 2. Synthesis,Characterization, and Physical Properties of Poly((Indene-co-p-Methylstyrene)-b-Isobutylene-b-(Indene-co-p-Methylstyrene)) Thermoplastic Elastomers

Abstract

Novel thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) consisting of a central rubbery polyisobutylene (PIB) segment flanked by two glassy outer segments comprising indene (Ind)-co-p-methylstyrene (pMeSt) random copolymers have been prepared. The synthesis was effected by sequential monomer addition in one reactor: The process starts by the biliving homopolymerization of isobutylene (IB) and yields the living dication ⁺PIB⁺; the latter, upon the introduction of Ind/pMeSt mixtures, induces the living copolymerization of these monomers and yields the target TPE P(Ind-co-pMeSt)-b-PIB-b-P(Ind-co-pMeSt) triblock. The length of the rubbery midblock and the composition of the Ind-co-pMeSt random copolymer outer blocks (i.e., the overall composition of the triblocks) can be readily controlled. The glass transition temperature (T_g ) of the outer blocks can be fine-tuned by controlling the relative Ind/ pMeSt composition. The triblocks are excellent TPEs; for example, a P(Ind-co-pMeSt)-b-PIB-b-P(Ind-co-pMeSt) of M _n ≈ 115,000 g/mol containing a PIB midblock of M _n ≈ 70,200 g/mol and glassy copolymer outer blocks of P(Ind-co-pMeSt) [Ind/pMeSt = 41/59 (w/w)] exhibited 23.4 MPa tensile strength and 460% elongation. Tensile strengths and 300% moduli increase with the relative amount of the glassy segment present. Hardness increases with increasing Ind content.     

Exploration of Novel Pyrene Labeled Amphiphilic Block Copolymers: Synthesis Via ATRP,Characterization and Properties

A novel initiator containing pyrene, a fluorescent moiety, was prepared by reacting 1-aminopyrene and 2-bromoisobutyl bromide. The structure elucidation of the new initiator was carried out using various spectroscopic tools, as well as through single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Novel, fluorescent amphiphilic block copolymers with a pyrene end-group, poly(styrene-b-acrylic acid) [P(S-b-AA)], poly(methyl methacrylate-b-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) [P(MMA-b-DMAEMA)], poly(styrene-b-tert-butyl acrylate) [P(S-b?t-BA)], poly(styrene-b-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) [P(S-b-DMAEMA)] were successfully synthesized by the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method, using CuBr as the catalyst and N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA)/N,N,N′,N″,N″-hexamethyltriethylenetetramine (HMTETA) as the complexing agent. The polymers were characterized by GPC, ¹H-NMR, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopies. It was observed that as the polymerization time increased, both the conversion and the molecular weight increased linearly with time. The fluorescence properties of the polymers prepared were recorded. The physical properties and especially the pH dependent swelling properties of the amphiphilic block copolymers have been investigated. The utility of the block copolymers in the formation of stable dispersion of cadmium sulphide nanoparticles was investigated as a model study.     

Functionalization of Styrene-Olefin Block Copolymers by Melt Radical Grafting of Glycidyl Methacrylate and Reactive Blending with PET

Blocks copolymers styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene (SEBS) and styrene-b-(ethylene-co-propylene) (SEP, SEPSEP), with different styrene content and number of blocks in the chain, were functionalized with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) by melt radical grafting. The influence of monomer concentration, radical initiator and copolymer structure on the grafting degree was examined. The grafted copolymers were characterised by DSC and capillary rheometry. Blends of PET with functionalized SEBS and SEPSEP showed a marked improvement of phase morphology and elongation at break when compared to blends with unfunctionalized copolymers.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel resorcinarene‐centered amphiphilic star‐block copolymers consisting of eight ABA triblock arms by combination of ROP,ATRP, and click chemistry

Novel amphiphilic eight‐arm star triblock copolymers, star poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐block‐poly(acrylic acid)‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)s (SPCL‐PAA‐PCL) with resorcinarene as core moiety were prepared by combination of ROP, ATRP, and “click” reaction strategy. First, the hydroxyl end groups of the predefined eight‐arm SPCLs synthesized by ROP were converted to 2‐bromoesters which permitted ATRP of tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA) to form star diblock copolymers: SPCL‐PtBA. Next, the bromide end groups of SPCL‐PtBA were quantitatively converted to terminal azides by NaN₃, which were combined with presynthesized alkyne‐terminated poly(ε‐caprolactone) (A‐PCL) in the presence of Cu(I)/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine in DMF to give the star triblock copolymers: SPCL‐PtBA‐PCL. ¹H NMR, FTIR, and SEC analyses confirmed the expected star triblock architecture. The hydrolysis of tert‐butyl ester groups of the poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) blocks gave the amphiphilic star triblock copolymers: SPCL‐PAA‐PCL. These amphiphilic star triblock copolymers could self‐assemble into spherical micelles in aqueous solution with the particle size ranging from 20 to 60 nm. Their micellization behaviors were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2905–2916, 2009     

Low temperature ATRP of POSS-MA and its amphiphilic pentablock copolymers

A low temperature ATRP of methacryloisobutyl POSS (POSS-MA) is carried out, using poly(propylene glycol) (PPG)-based macroinitiator, in toluene with CuCl/PMDETA as the catalyst system, generating well-defined P(POSS-MA)-b-PPG-b-P(POSS-MA) triblock copolymer with Р~ 1.1. The semilogarithmic kinetic plot reveals first-order kinetics and the dispersity is observed to decrease as the reaction progresses—an indication of the controlled behavior of the polymerization. To assess the chain-end fidelity of the produced block copolymer, chain extension is carried out with oligo(ethylene glycol methacrylate) (OEGMA) that afforded water-soluble P(OEGMA)-b-P(POSSMA)-b-PPG-b-P(POSSMA)-b-P(OEGMA) pentablock copolymers. The SEC profiles suggest a quantitative initiation by the macroinitiator. By varying the monomer to initiator molar ratio, block copolymers with various P(OEGMA) chain lengths, ranging from 19 to 58 units on each side have been achieved with relative lower dispersity (Р< 1.4). Kinetic analysis of the ATRP of OEGMA, with P(POSSMA)-b-PPG-b-P(POSSMA) as the macroinitiator, suggests first-order kinetics and controlled nature of the polymerization. The PPG and P(OEGMA) segments impart a thermosensitive character to the obtained water-soluble amphiphilic hybrid block copolymers; hence they display temperature-dependent self-assembly behavior in aqueous medium.     

Synthesis of well‐defined amphiphilic polymethylene‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(acrylic acid) triblock copolymer via a combination of polyhomologation,ring‐opening polymerization,and atom transfer radical polymerization

Well‐defined amphiphilic polymethylene‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(acrylic acid) (PM‐b‐PCL‐b‐PAA) triblock copolymers were synthesized via a combination of polyhomologation, ring‐opening polymerization (ROP), and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First, hydroxyl‐terminated polymethylenes (PM‐OH; M_n = 1100 g mol^?1; M_w/M_n = 1.09) were produced by polyhomologation followed by oxidation. Then, the PM‐b‐PCL (M_n = 10,000 g mol^?1; M_w/M_n = 1.27) diblock copolymers were synthesized via ROP of ε‐caprolactone using PM‐OH as macroinitiator and stannous octanoate (Sn(Oct)₂) as a catalyst. Subsequently, the macroinitiator transformed from PM‐b‐PCL in high conversion initiated ATRPs of tert‐butyl acrylate (^tBA) to construct PM‐b‐PCL‐b‐P^tBA triblock copolymers (M_n = 11,000–14,000 g mol^?1; M_w/M_n = 1.24–1.26). Finally, the PM‐b‐PCL‐b‐PAA triblock copolymers were obtained via the hydrolysis of the P^tBA segment in PM‐b‐PCL‐b‐P^tBA triblock copolymers. The chain structures of all the polymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Porous films of such triblock copolymers were fabricated by static breath‐figure method and observed by scanning electron microscope. The aggregates of PM‐b‐PCL‐b‐PAA triblock copolymer were studied by transmission electron microscope. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Micellization behavior of diblock and triblock copolymers of poly(t-butyl methacrylate) bearing associating short polystyrene end-blocks

Anionic polymerization high vacuum techniques were employed for the synthesis of a diblock (PS-b-PtBuMA) and two triblock (PS-b-PtBuMA-b-PS) copolymers of polystyrene (PS) and poly(t-butyl methacrylate) (PtBuMA) bearing similar low molecular weight PS end-block(s). Dilute solution viscometry, as well as static and dynamic light scattering, were employed to assess whether the short PS end-blocks were able to promote association in t-amyl alcohol, a selective solvent for PtBuMA. The effect of macromolecular architecture on the association behavior of the copolymers was also examined.     

Model block–graft copolymer via anionic living polymerization: Preparation and characterization of polystyrene-block-[poly(p-hydroxystyrene)-graft-poly(ethylene oxide)]-block-polystyrene

A model graft copolymer in which position of graft points was set to the center of a backbone molecule was prepared via anionic living polymerization. Polystyrene-block-poly(p-tert-butoxystyrene)-block-polystyrene (PSt-b-PBSt-b-PSt) was prepared by three-stage sequential addition. The tert-butyl group was removed from PBSt by hydrogen bromide to yield PSt-b-PHSt-b-PSt, having a poly(p-hydroxystyrene) (PHSt) block. The hydroxyl group of PHSt was reacted with dimeric potassium dianions of 1, 1-diphenylethylene (DPE-K) or cumyl potassium (cumyl K) to yield the corresponding macromolecular initiators of PSt-b-PHSt⁻K⁺-b-PSt containing the potassium alkoxide ion of PHSt. The newly formed alkoxide groups and remaining initiators of DPE-K or cumyl K are capable of initiating the additionally introduced ethylene oxide (EO). Thus, two block–graft copolymers of polystyrene-block-[poly(p-hydroxystyrene)-graft-poly(ethylene oxide)]-block-polystyrene (PSt-b-(PHSt-g-PEO)-b-PSt) were prepared by a “grafting from” process (backbone initiation). A PSt-b-PHSt-b-PSt backbone (M_n = 1.7₅ × 10⁵ by osmometry and M_w/M_n = 1.0₈ by GPC), and two PSt-b-(PHSt-g-PEO)-b-PSt block–graft copolymers (M_n = 2.4₅ × 10⁵ by osmometry and M_w/M_n < 1.1₀ by GPC) had narrow molecular weight distributions. A relationship between nonquantitative metallation and spacing of the graft points on a backbone molecule was discussed in detail. Two benzene-cast films formed clear microphase-separated structures of lamellar structure. The dependence of composition on the morphology of the block–graft copolymers was found to differ from that of common block copolymers. A degree of crystallinity of PEO segment and lamellar thickness of PEO phase serving as graft molecule were also found to differ from those of homo PEO and/or PEO segment in common block copolymer. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 3021–3034, 1998     

RAFT polymerization of linear ABC triblock copolymer P<Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>BA-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-PS-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-P2VP and regulation of its hierarchical self-assembly structure in solution

Linear ABC triblock copolymer PtBA₁₅₄-b-PS₃₀₀-b-P2VP₂₄₀ was successfully synthesized by RAFT polymerization. Block copolymer micelles were prepared by the two-step hierarchical self-assembly process. Size exclusion chromatography and ¹H NMR were used to characterize the structure of samples. Morphologies and size of micelles were determined by transmission electron microscope. The results showed that the densely dispersed spherical micelles of PtBA₁₅₄-b-PS₃₀₀-b-P2VP₂₄₀ were obtained in the first step of the hierarchical self-assembly process. In the second step, core-compartmentalized micelle strings with different lengths and distribution densities were obtained when the primary self-assembled solution was dialyzed in distilled water with pH ≈ 3. When distilled water with pH ≈ 3 was added drop-wise to this solution, uniformly dispersed spherical core-compartmentalized micelles of PtBA₁₅₄-b-PS₃₀₀-b-P2VP₂₄₀ were prepared. Thus, hierarchical self-assembly structure of linear ABC triblock copolymer was obtained successfully and the preparation of uniformly dispersed spherical micelles of triblock copolymers was realized simply by changing the secondary self-assembly methods.