A mild and quantitative route towards well-defined strong anionic/hydrophobic diblock copolymers: synthesis and aqueous self-assembly. Issue 45 (30th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hofman, Anton H.; Fokkink, Remco; Kamperman, Marleen
• Is Part Of: Polymer chemistry. Volume 10:Issue 45(2019)
• Page Start: 6109
• Page End: 6115
• Publication Date: 2019-09-30
• Subjects: Polymers -- Periodicals; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1039/c9py01227c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-9954

Abstract

Abstract : Well-defined hydrophobic/strong anionic diblock copolymers were synthesized through a protected hydrophobic intermediate. Their self-assembly in aqueous solution was subsequently studied. Abstract : Block copolymers that accommodate both hydrophobic and ionic elements are interesting materials for numerous applications, such as stabilizing agents, lubricants and proton-exchange membranes. Frequently these copolymers are based on weak polyelectrolytes, but the pH-dependent charge density restricts their use to a limited pH window. Although strong polyelectrolytes do not suffer this problem, the most commonly employed post-modification approach limits the choice of the hydrophobic component, as harsh reaction conditions are usually involved. Moreover, this method often results in incomplete functionalization of the precursor copolymer. To avoid these difficulties a mild route was developed that is based on a hydrophobic protected poly(3-sulfopropyl methacrylate) intermediate that enables the preparation of well-defined strong anionic polyelectrolytes. The potential of this method was demonstrated by synthesizing hydrophobic/strong anionic diblock copolymers, and their self-assembly in aqueous solution was studied.