Synthesis and characterization of polystyrene-b-tetraaniline stars from polystyrene stars with surface reactive groups prepared by RAFT polymerization

Functionalized star polymers with tetraaniline on their surface have been successfully prepared by substitution reaction of N-succinimidyl-terminated star polymers with tetraaniline. A novel functional RAFT agent bearing N-succinimidyl group was used in the RAFT polymerization of styrene, and N-succinimidyl groups-terminated polystyrenes with narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained. The star polymers with reactive N-succinimidyl groups on their surface were synthesized via RAFT polymerization of DVB. Polymerization mechanism study by gel permeation chromatography displayed that complete disappearance of linear polymers in the products is difficult. The N-succinimidyl-terminated PSt, polymer stars with surface N-succinimidyl groups and the PSt-b-tetraaniline stars were characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR and GPC.