Well-Defined Amphiphilic Block Copolymers and Nano-objects Formed in Situ via RAFT-Mediated Aqueous Emulsion Polymerization

作者：Xuewei Zhang, Stéphanie Boissé, Wenjing Zhang, Patricia Beaunier, Franck D’Agosto, Jutta Rieger, Bernadette Charleux · 发表于：Macromolecules · 年份：2011 · DOI：10.1021/ma2005926 · 被引用次数：236 · 研究领域：Advanced Polymer Synthesis and Characterization、Radioactive element chemistry and processing、Innovative Microfluidic and Catalytic Techniques Innovation

A hydrophilic poly(methacrylic acid- co -poly(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate) copolymer with a trithiocarbonate reactive group was used in the free-radical, batch emulsion polymerization of styrene. It allowed fast polymerizations and high final conversions to be achieved, and the parameters for a good control over the formation of well-defined amphiphilic diblock copolymers were identified. These diblock copolymers self-assembled in situ into nano-objects of various morphologies upon chain extension. Achieving a good control over the formed diblock copolymers was shown to be an important step toward a better understanding of the parameters that affect the shape and size of the self-assembled objects, the ultimate goal being the ability to predict and fine-tune them on purpose.