Controlled synthesis of radiolabelled amine methacrylate water-soluble polymers with end-groups of varying hydrophobicity and studies of adsorption behaviour

The effect of chain end chemistry on the behaviour of poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) has been studied through the placement of various radioactive groups with increasing hydrophobicity at the chain end of the polymer. Controlled radical polymerisation with ¹⁴C-labelled initiators was used to form polymers of very similar chain length including doubly-labelled, fluorescent-radio polymers. Monitoring and quantification of behaviour was conducted purely using radiotechniques, without the need for fluorescence measurement, showing a clear impact on solid surface adsorption across a range of surface types (filter paper, photographic paper and hair). The studies presented here have clear implications for the study of polymer behaviour through low level fluorescent modification of water-soluble polymers.