Synthesis, Characterization, and Thermal Behavior of H-Shaped Copolymers Prepared by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

H-Shaped Copolymer of Polyethylene and Poly(ethylene oxide) under Severe Confinement: Phase State and Dynamics

The self-assembly and the dynamics of an H-shaped copolymer composed of a polyethylene midblock and four poly(ethylene oxide) arms (PE-b-4PEO) are investigated in the bulk and under severe confinement into nanometer-spaced LAPONITE clay particles by means of small- and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXS, WAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), rheology, and dielectric spectroscopy (DS). Because of the H-shaped architecture, the PE midblock is topologically frustrated and thus unable to crystallize. The superstructure formation in the bulk is dictated solely by the PEO arms as inferred by the crystallization/melting temperature relative to the PEO homopolymer. Confinement produced remarkable changes in the interlayer distance and PEO crystallinity but left the local segmental dynamics unaltered. To reconcile all structural, thermodynamic, and dynamic effects, a novel morphological picture is proposed with interest in emulsions. Key parameters that stabilize the final morphology are the severe chain confinement with the associated entropy loss and the presence of interactions (hydrophobic/hydrophilic) between the LAPONITE and the PEO/PE blocks.

Dispersity and architecture driven self-assembly and confined crystallization of symmetric branched block copolymers

Architectural variety in the form of branching combined with disparate dispersities in block polymers have been exploited to access microphase morphologies outside the conventional phase windows typically observed in uniform linear analogs.

Constructing Regioregular Star Poly(3-hexylthiophene) via Externally Initiated Kumada Catalyst-Transfer Polycondensation

A synthetic route was developed for the preparation of di- and trifunctional Ni complex-based initiators. Each initiator affords well-defined 2-arm (V-shaped) and 3-arm (Y-shaped) regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (rr-P3HT) with controlled molecular weight and narrow polydispersities by the externally initiated Kumada catalyst-transfer polycondensation. The core spacer length and end o-tolylhalide group of the functional initiators exhibited differences in reactivity and show that the biphenyl spacers are effective for the synthesis of V-shaped and Y-shaped rr-P3HTs.

Functional Polyether-based Amphiphilic Block Copolymers Synthesized by Atom-transfer Radical Polymerization

This review deals with the synthesis, physical properties, and applications of amphiphilic block copolymers based on hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) or hydrophobic poly(propylene oxide) (PPO). Oligomeric PEO and PPO are frequently functionalized by converting their OH end groups into macroinitiators for atom-transfer radical polymerization. They are then used to generate additional blocks as part of complex copolymer architectures. Adding hydrophobic and hydrophilic blocks, respectively, leads to polymers with amphiphilic character in water. They are surface active and form micelles above a critical micellization concentration. Together with recent developments in post-polymerization techniques through quantitative coupling reactions (‘click’ chemistry) a broad variety of tailored functionalities can be introduced to the amphiphilic block copolymers. Examples are outlined including stimuli responsiveness, membrane penetrating ability, formation of multi-compartmentalized micelles, etc.

AxBAx-Type Block–Graft Polymers with Soft Methacrylate Middle Segments and Hard Styrene Outer Grafts: Synthesis, Morphology, and Mechanical Properties

Novel copolymers with controlled architectures can function as new building blocks for well-defined nanostructures on the basis of microphase separation, unlike conventional ABA triblock copolymers. A series of well-defined A(x)BA(x)-type block-graft copolymers consisting of soft middle segments (dodecyl methacrylate (DMA)) and hard outer graft chains (styrene (St)) were synthesized by ruthenium-catalyzed living radical block and graft polymerization. NMR spectroscopy and size-exclusion chromatography combined with multiangle laser light scattering confirmed the well-defined structure of the A(x)BA(x) block-graft copolymers with backbones and graft chains of controlled lengths. Transmission electron microscopy and transmission electron microtomography revealed a series of morphologies for the copolymers. Morphological changes were observed from PSt "honeycomb" cylinders to lamellae and poly(DMA) cylinders with increasing PSt-graft content, whereby the phase diagram was shifted significantly to lower volume fractions of the larger-number component (St) relative to those of the corresponding ABA triblock copolymers. More specifically, poly(DMA) cylinders were observed even before the St content reached 50 wt %. The A(x)BA(x) and ABA copolymers with 17-30 wt % of St exhibited characteristics of a thermoplastic elastomer with tensile strengths of 1-6 MPa and elongations at break of 70-300 %. These mechanical properties can be related well to the microphase structures of the A(x)BA(x) and ABA copolymers.