A3B-type miktoarm star polymer nanoassemblies prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) dispersion polymerization. Issue 38 (14th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Xinru; Wei, Zhiqiang; Liu, Kai; Wang, Li; Yang, Wantai
• Is Part Of: Polymer chemistry. Volume 13:Issue 38(2022)
• Page Start: 5494
• Page End: 5506
• Publication Date: 2022-09-14
• Subjects: Polymers -- Periodicals; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1039/d2py00935h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-9954

Abstract

Abstract : The investigation on a series of A3 B-type miktoarm star polymer assemblies by RAFT PISA has revealed the role of A3 B architecture in delaying morphological transitions, and the formation of larger vesicles as well as other interesting morphologies. Abstract : The construction of new macromolecular architecture is an effective route to obtain diverse self-assembled morphologies in polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA). Herein, four macro-chain transfer agents (macro-CTAs) bearing three methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) arms of increasing length were synthesized for the first time with great precision, and used in the RAFT mediated dispersion polymerization of styrene (St). The well-controlled polymerization of St was attained, yielding A3 B-type miktoarm star (mPEG)3 -PS nanoassemblies. A parallel comparison between the nanoassemblies of (mPEG750)3 -PS and linear mPEG2000- b -PS indicated the remarkable effect of A3 B architecture in delaying the micelle-worm and worm-vesicle transitions and promoting the formation of larger vesicles. In addition, unusual morphologies such as oversized vesicle, columnar vesicle and multi-lamellar vesicle were formed for (mPEG550)3 -PS nanoassemblies.