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ABA triblock copolymers: from controlled synthesis to controlled function

Holder, Simon J., Rossi, Nicholas A. A., Yeoh, Chert-Tsun, Durand, Geraldine G, Boerakker, Mark J., Sommerdijk, Nico A. J. M. (2003) ABA triblock copolymers: from controlled synthesis to controlled function. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 13 (11). pp. 2771-2778. ISSN 0959-9428. (doi:10.1039/b304149b) (KAR id:27885)

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Abstract

The ABA amphiphilic block copolymers, poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-hlock-methylphenylsilane-block-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA-PMPS-PHEMA) and poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate-block-methylphenylsilane-block-oligo(ethylene glycol). methyl ether methacrylate] (POEGMA-PMPS-POEGMA) were successfully synthesised via atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP). Macroinitiators suitable for the ATRP of oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate were synthesised from the condensation reaction of alpha,omega-dihalopolymethylphenylsilane and 2'-hydroxyethyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate. The copolymers were characterised using H-1 NMR and C-13 NMR spectroscopy and molecular weight characteristics were determined using size exclusion chromatography and H-1 NMR. The aggregation behaviour of some of the copolymers in water was studied using transmission and scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. These revealed the prevalent aggregate species to be micelles. Larger aggregates of 300-1000 nm diameter were also observed. The UV induced degradation of the aggregates was studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The thermal behaviour of selected copolymers was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and microphase separation of the two components was demonstrated.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1039/b304149b
Uncontrolled keywords: TRANSFER RADICAL POLYMERIZATION; METHACRYLATE) BLOCK-COPOLYMERS; LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE POLYSILANE; ATOM-TRANSFER POLYMERIZATION; CROSS-LINKED MICELLES; AMBIENT-TEMPERATURE; AQUEOUS-MEDIA; 2-HYDROXYETHYL METHACRYLATE; PHOTOCHEMICAL DEGRADATION; MULTIPLE MORPHOLOGIES
Subjects: Q Science > QD Chemistry
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: Simon Holder
Date Deposited: 08 Jun 2011 12:07 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:06 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/27885 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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