“Comb-like” non-ionic polymeric macrosurfactants

Abstract

A series of non-ionic comb-like polymeric macrosurfactants were synthesized by group transfer polymerisation. Specifically, nine amphiphilic block copolymers were prepared based on the hydrophobic n-hexyl methacrylate and the hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate. The molecular weights (MWs) and the compositions of the polymer precursors and polymers were confirmed by GPC and NMR, respectively. Dynamic light scattering measurements in tetradecane polymer solutions were made. The micelles' diameter increased by increasing the MW and the hydrophobic content of copolymers. The emulsifying ability of all the polymers was also investigated. Interestingly not all the block copolymers were able to form stable emulsions and the emulsification was affected by the polymer composition and MW. A tendency for improvement of the emulsion stability with the simultaneous increase of the MW and HEMA fraction of the block copolymers has been observed. The best emulsifier was the diblock copolymer with the highest content in HEMA and the highest MW.