Cationic Amphiphilic Model Networks Based on Symmetrical ABCBA Pentablock Terpolymers: Synthesis, Characterization, and Modeling

Thermoresponsive oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate based copolymers: composition and comonomer effect

Thermoresponsive polymers based on oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) methyl ether methacrylate monomers from unimers to micelles to precipitation.

Scalable syntheses of well-defined pentadecablock bipolymer and quintopolymer

The one-pot syntheses of two pentadeca-(15)-block methacrylate-based amphiphilic copolymers, specifically a bipolymer (AB)₇A and a quintopolymer (ABCDE)₃, are being reported using a fast and easy to scale up procedure that does not require any intermediate purification steps.

Amphiphilic Polymer Conetworks Based on End-Linked "Core-First" Star Block Copolymers: Structure Formation with Long-Range Order

Amphiphilic polymer conetworks are cross-linked polymers that swell both in water and in organic solvents and can phase separate on the nanoscale in the bulk or in selective solvents. To date, however, this phase separation has only been reported with short-range order, characterized by disordered morphologies. We now report the first example of amphiphilic polymer conetworks, based on end-linked "core-first" star block copolymers, that form a lamellar phase with long-range order. These mesoscopically ordered systems can be produced in a simple fashion and exhibit significantly improved mechanical properties.

Controlled polymer synthesis--from biomimicry towards synthetic biology

The controlled assembly of synthetic polymer structures is now possible with an unprecedented range of functional groups and molecular architectures. In this critical review we consider how the ability to create artificial materials over lengthscales ranging from a few nm to several microns is generating systems that not only begin to mimic those in nature but also may lead to exciting applications in synthetic biology (139 references).

Synthesis and characterization of anionic amphiphilic model conetworks of 2-butyl-1-octyl-methacrylate and methacrylic acid: effects of polymer composition and architecture

Seven amphiphilic conetworks of methacrylic acid (MAA) and a new hydrophobic monomer, 2-butyl-1-octyl-methacrylate (BOMA), were synthesized using group transfer polymerization. The MAA units were introduced via the polymerization of tetrahydropyranyl methacrylate (THPMA) followed by the removal of the protecting tetrahydropyranyl group by acid hydrolysis after network formation. Both THPMA and BOMA were in-house synthesized. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) was used as the cross-linker. Six of the conetworks were model conetworks, containing copolymer chains between cross-links of precise molecular weight and composition. The prepared conetwork series covered a wide range of compositions and architectures. In particular, the MAA content was varied from 67 to 94 mol %, and three different conetwork architectures were constructed: ABA triblock copolymer-based, statistical copolymer-based, and randomly cross-linked. The linear conetwork precursors were analyzed by gel permeation chromatography and 1H NMR spectroscopy in terms of their molecular weight and composition, both of which were found to be close to the theoretically calculated values. The degrees of swelling (DS) of all the amphiphilic conetworks were measured in water and in THF over the whole range of ionization of the MAA units. The DSs in water increased with the degree of ionization (DI) and the content of the hydrophilic MAA units in the conetwork, while the DSs in THF increased with the degree of polymerization of the chains between the cross-links and by reducing the DI of the MAA units. Finally, the nanophase behavior of the conetworks was probed using small-angle neutron scattering and atomic force microscopy.