ABA triblock copolymers: from controlled synthesis to controlled function

Abstract

The ABA amphiphilic block copolymers, poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-block-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 α,ω-dihalopolymethylphenylsilane and 2′-hydroxyethyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropanoate. The copolymers were characterised using ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and molecular weight characteristics were determined using size exclusion chromatography and ¹H 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.