Synthesis and Characterization of Amphiphilic Poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(hexyl methacrylate) Copolymers

We describe the preparation of amphiphilic diblock copolymers made of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(hexyl methacrylate) (PHMA) synthesized by anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide and subsequent atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of hexyl methacrylate (HMA). The first block, PEO, is prepared by anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide in tetrahydrofuran. End capping is achieved by treatment of living PEO chain ends with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide to yield a macroinitiator for ATRP. The second block is added by polymerization of HMA, using the PEO macroinitiator in the presence of dibromobis(triphenylphosphine) nickel(II), NiBr₂(PPh₃)₂, as the catalyst. Kinetics studies reveal absence of termination consistent with controlled polymerization of HMA. GPC data show low polydispersities of the corresponding diblock copolymers. The microdomain structure of selected PEO‐block‐PHMA block copolymers is investigated by small angle X‐ray scattering experiments, revealing behavior expected from known diblock copolymer phase diagrams.

SAXS diffractograms of PEO‐block‐PHMA diblock copolymers with 16, 44, 68 wt.‐% PEO showing spherical (A), cylindrical (B), and lamellae (C) morphologies, respectively.     

Novel Amphiphilic Styrene‐Based Block Copolymers for Induced Surface Reconstruction

This paper describes the synthesis of amphiphilic block copolymers by living radical polymerization (NMP) of new styrene‐like monomers. The polar monomers (ethylene oxide side chains and free hydroxyl‐ or amino‐groups after deprotection) were polymerized in a “protected form” to adjust the solubility of the monomers. In this way high molar mass polymers with a narrow polydispersity (around or below 1.2) were accessible. In the bulk state hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains demix. By exposing thin films of these polymers to vacuum (air) or alternatively to water or a hydrophilic surface it becomes possible to switch the surface polarity reversibly between contact angles of about 105° and 83° as a result of surface reconstruction. Through side chains of different length and with different functionalities, it was possible to adjust the glass transition temperatures to values between ?2 °C to 140 °C for the hydrophilic blocks and ?30 °C to 100 °C for the hydrophobic block. The wide range of the glass temperatures allowed it to find a block copolymer system with a slow kinetic concerning the surface reconstruction process, so that a mechanistic examination of the process by AFM was possible. It got, thereby, possible to detect the break‐up of the hydrophobic surface lamella and the upfold of the hydrophilic lamella in contact with water.

     

Synthesis and Micellization of Star‐Shaped Poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐Poly(ε‐caprolactone)

Summary: The relationship between the architecture of block copolymers and their micellar properties was investigated. Diblock, 3‐arm star‐shaped and 4‐arm star‐shaped block copolymers based on poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) were synthesized. Micelles of star‐shaped block copolymer in an aqueous solution were then prepared by a solvent evaporation method. The critical micelle concentration and the size of the micelles were measured by the steady‐state pyrene fluorescence method and dynamic light scattering, respectively. The CMC decreased in the order di‐, 3‐arm star‐shaped and 4‐arm star‐shaped block copolymer. The size of the micelles increased in the same order as the CMC. Theory also predicts that the formation of micelles becomes easier for 4‐arm star‐shaped block copolymers than for di‐ and 3‐arm star‐shaped block copolymers, which qualitatively agrees with the experiments.

     

Amphiphilic Block Copolymers Containing Regioregular Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and Poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline)

Poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐block‐poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) amphiphilic rod–coil diblock copolymers have been synthesized by a combination of Grignard metathesis (GRIM) and ring‐opening cationic polymerization. Diblock copolymers containing 5, 15, and 30 mol‐% poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) have been synthesized and characterized. The synthesized rod–coil block copolymers display nanofibrillar morphology where the density of the nanofibrills is dependent on the concentration of the poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) coil segment. The conductivity of the diblock copolymers was lowered from 200 to 35 S · cm^?1 with an increase in the content of the insulating poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) block. By contrast, the field‐effect mobility decreased by 2–3 orders of magnitude upon the incorporation of the poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) insulating segment.

     

Poly(ethylene oxide)‐ and Poly(perfluorohexylethyl methacrylate)‐Containing Amphiphilic Block Copolymers: Association Properties in Aqueous Solution

Amphiphilic di‐ and triblock copolymers containing poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as the hydrophilic block and poly(perfluorohexylethyl methacrylate) (PFMA) as the hydrophobic block were synthesized by atom‐transfer radical polymerization using hydroxy‐terminated PEO as the macroinitiator. The copolymers were characterized by size exclusion chromatography and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Self‐association in aqueous solution has been investigated using surface tension measurements, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). From surface tension measurements in water, a characteristic concentration (c*) can be detected, which is interpreted as the critical micelle concentration (cmc). The cmc decreases with an increase in fluoro content in the triblock copolymer up to 11 wt.‐% PFMA (solubility limit). DLS studies have been carried out for different samples above the cmc, showing small aggregates (micelles) and single chains for diblock copolymer solutions. In the case of triblock copolymers large clusters were the dominant aggregates in addition to the micelles and single chains. The effect of temperature and concentration on the micelle and cluster formation has been investigated by DLS. Micelle size was found to be resistant to any change by temperature, however, a slight but significant increase in apparent hydrodynamic radius was observed with an increase in concentration, while both temperature and concentration affected the formation of large clusters, especially in concentrated solutions. TEM has been carried out to visualize the morphology of the aggregates after transferring the solution to carbon film. The initial concentration for the preparation of TEM samples was found to have a strong influence on the morphology of the aggregates. By adding colloidal gold particles to the solutions, the typical covering by the polymer was observed by TEM.

Decay‐rate distributions for PEO₁₀F5 (4.0 g · L^?1); obtained from the time correlation functions.     

Effect of Sonication on Polymeric Aggregates Formed by Poly(ethylene oxide)‐Based Amphiphilic Block Copolymers

The effect of sonication on the size and structure of polymeric aggregates formed by amphiphilic block copolymers was studied by the combination of dynamic and static light scattering. Poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐polyisoprene, poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐polystyrene diblock copolymers, and poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐polyisoprene‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer were used as typical polymeric amphiphiles. Sonication was found to be an effective method to break up inter‐micellar associations and split large polymeric aggregates, present initially in the aqueous solutions, into monodisperse micelles. The content and type of hydrophobic block, copolymer solution‐preparation protocol, and copolymer concentration were also investigated as co‐factors in conjunction to the effect of sonication time.

     

Double Hydrophilic Poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐Poly(dehydroalanine) Block Copolymers: Comparison of Two Different Synthetic Routes

Two different synthetic pathways give access to the amphiphilic block copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(tert‐butoxycarbonylaminomethylacrylate). In the first approach, two end‐functionalized segments are linked via click chemistry; and in the second approach, a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) based macroinitiator is chain extended via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). In both cases the linking unit consists of an amide group, which is necessary to effectively deprotect the corresponding polymer precursor without cleavage of both segments. For this, amide‐containing ATRP initiators are employed and successful synthesis by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) analyses before comparing both pathways is demonstrated. After deprotection, a novel double hydrophilic block copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(dehydroalanine), is obtained, which is investigated using SEC (aqueous and DMSO) and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. Containing a potentially zwitterionic PDha segment and a high density of both amino and carboxylic groups, pH‐dependent aggregation of the block copolymer is expected and is studied using dynamic light scattering, revealing interesting solution properties. The corresponding polymers are applied in various areas including drug delivery systems or in biomineralization.     

CO2‐Based Non‐ionic Surfactants: Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐Poly(propylene carbonate) Block Copolymers

Copolymerization of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and propylene oxide (PO) is employed to generate amphiphilic polycarbonate block copolymers with a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) block and a nonpolar poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) block. A series of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) di‐ and triblock copolymers, PPC‐b‐PEG and PPC‐b‐PEG‐b‐PPC, respectively, with narrow molecular weight distributions (PDIs in the range of 1.05–1.12) and tailored molecular weights (1500–4500 g mol^?1) is synthesized via an alternating CO₂/propylene oxide copolymerization, using PEG or mPEG as an initiator. Critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) are determined, ranging from 3 to 30 mg L^?1. Non‐ionic poly(propylene carbonate)‐based surfactants represent an alternative to established surfactants based on polyether structures.

     

Synthesis of Three Types of Amphiphilic Poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐Poly(sebacic anhydride) Copolymers and Studies of their Micellar Solutions

Summary: Linear, three‐ and four‐armed block copolymers based on PEG and PSA were synthesized by melt polycondensation reactions. The CMC of the copolymer was measured using the dye solubilization method. The copolymers were found to self‐aggregate in water to form micelles above the CMC. The micellar solutions were prepared with different methods and investigated by DLS and AFM. The DLS method was used to measure the mean hydrodynamic diameters of the micelles. It was found that preparation method and condition of the micellar solution, as well as the structure and composition of the copolymer had effects on the hydrodynamic diameter of the copolymer micelles. AFM studies showed that the morphology of the micelle was spherical.

Synthesis of 3‐armed stars based on poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(sebacic anhydride).     

Contrast Inversion in TEM Studies of Poly(ferrocenylsilane)‐block‐Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Diblock Copolymers

This paper describes an unusual contrast inversion phenomenon in TEM imaging of PFS‐b‐PDMS block copolymer bulk samples. It is clearly observed especially in samples that show a lamellar morphology that the contrast inversion is accompanied by a contraction of the PDMS domains and an expansion of the Fe‐rich domains. The location of the iron‐ and silicon‐rich domains was monitored by EDX analysis. We infer that the contrast inversion was caused by electron beam radiation‐induced damage to, and possible cross‐linking of, PDMS chains. A simple way to selectively deposit metal on electron beam patterned polymer film was demonstrated.

     

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(trimethylene oxide)‐block‐Polystyrene and Poly(trimethylene oxide)‐block‐Polystyrene‐block‐Poly(methyl methacrylate) by Combination of Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) and Cationic Ring‐Opening Polymerization (CROP)

Summary: Diblock copolymers, poly(trimethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(styrene)s abbreviated as poly(TMO)‐block‐poly(St), and triblock copolymers, poly(TMO)‐block‐poly(St)‐block‐poly(MMA)s (MMA = methyl methacrylate), with controlled molecular weight and narrow polydispersity have been successively synthesized by a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and cationic ring‐opening polymerization using the bifunctional initiator, 2‐hydroxylethyl α‐bromoisobutyrate, without intermediate function transformation. The gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and NMR analyses confirmed the structures of di‐ and triblock copolymers obtained.

GPC curves of (a) poly(St); (b) diblock copolymer, poly(St)‐block‐poly(MMA) before precipitation; (c) poly(St)‐block‐poly(MMA) after precipitation in cyclohexane/ethanol (2:1); (d) triblock copolymer, poly(TMO)‐block‐poly(St)‐block‐poly(MMA).     

In Situ Aggregates of Enantiomeric Poly(styrene)‐block‐Poly(lactide) Diblock Copolymers via Stereocomplexation in a Non‐selective Solvent

A comprehensive investigation of in situ aggregation of structurally well‐defined enantiomeric poly(styrene)‐block‐poly(lactide) (PS‐b‐PLLA and PS‐b‐PDLA) in a non‐selective solvent, tetrahydrofuran (THF), is presented. The isolated aggregates are found to form poly(L ‐lactide) (PLLA)/poly(D ‐lactide) (PDLA) racemic crystals by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The kinetic study reveals that the growth rate of the aggregates depends on the molecular weight of the enantiomeric PLA blocks, as well as the preparation conditions. The proposed mechanism demonstrates a new PS (shell)–PLA (core) structural hierarchy solely driven by stereocomplexation between enantiomeric PLLA and PDLA blocks.

     

Surface Chemistry of Amphiphilic Polysiloxane/Triethyleneglycol‐Modified Poly(pentafluorostyrene) Block Copolymer Films Before and After Water Immersion

New amphiphilic block copolymers Si‐EFSx composed of a poly(dimethyl siloxane) (Si) block and a poly(4‐(triethyleneglycol monomethyl ether)‐2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorostyrene) (EFS) block are synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) starting from a bromo‐terminated Si macroinitiator. Similarly, new hydrophobic block copolymers Si‐FSy consisting of an Si block and a poly(pentafluorostyrene) (FS) block are prepared for comparison. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis on block copolymer films reveals that the Si block is concentrated at the polymer–air interface, while the EFS block is located in the layers underneath. The same polymer films undergo a marked surface reconstruction after immersion in water for 7 d, as probed by XPS. This phenomenon involves the exposure of the hydrophilic oxyethylenic chains to contact water. Such surface reconstruction is even more drastic when an amphiphilic block copolymer is dispersed in a cross‐linked poly(dimethyl siloxane) matrix film.

     

A Novel Macroinitiator for the Synthesis of Triblock Copolymers via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization: Polystyrene‐block‐poly(bisphenol A carbonate)‐block‐polystyrene and Poly(methyl methacrylate)‐block‐poly(bisphenol A carbonate)‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate)

Summary: Bis(hydroxy)telechelic bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC) was prepared via melt polycondensation of bisphenol A (BPA) and diphenyl carbonate (DPC) using lanthanum(III ) acetylacetonate as a catalyst for transesterification. Subsequently, the polycarbonate was converted to a bifunctional macroinitiator for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with the reagent, α‐chlorophenylacetyl chloride. The macroinitiator was used for the polymerization of styrene (S) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) to give PS‐block‐PC‐block‐PS and PMMA‐block‐PC‐block‐PMMA triblock copolymers. These block copolymers were characterized by NMR and GPC. When styrene and methyl methacrylate were used in large excess, significant shifts toward high molecular weights were observed with quantitative consumption of the macroinitiator. Several ligands were studied in combination with CuCl as the ATRP catalyst. Kinetic studies reveal the controlled nature of the polymerization reaction for all the ligands used.

Formation of a bifunctional ATRP macroinitiator by esterification of bis(hydroxy)telechelic PC with α‐chlorophenylacetyl chloride.     

Surface Properties and Antimicrobial Activity of Poly(sulfur‐co‐1,3‐diisopropenylbenzene) Copolymers

Poly(sulfur‐co‐1,3‐diisopropenyl benzene) copolymers with varying compositions are synthesized from elemental sulfur and 1,3‐diisopropenyl benzene by melt polymerization. The resulting polymers are spin‐coated onto silicon wafers, and their thin‐film properties (thickness, surface composition, hydrophobicity, swellability, roughness, and morphology) are studied. The surface composition of the polymer films (determined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy) indicates that the carbon‐containing repeat units of the polymer segregate to the air–polymer interface, so that the resulting surfaces are hydrophobic. This is in line with results from surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy measurements, which indicate that the materials are protein‐adhesive. Atomic force microscopy reveals that all materials are quite rough and show signs of microphase separation. Antimicrobial assays reveal that the materials are moderately active against Escherichia coli.     

Biocompatible Poly(D,L‐lactide)‐block‐Poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethylphosphorylcholine) Micelles for Drug Delivery

Well‐defined amphiphilic PLA‐b‐PMPC diblock copolymers were synthesized. Bimimetic micelles were prepared and applied for release of anti‐cancer drugs (DOX). TEM and DLS analysis revealed a regular spherical shape with small diameter (less than 50 nm) of the micelle. The biocompatibility of PLA‐b‐PMPC micelles was studied, and it was found that the micelles possessed excellent cytocompatibility due to the zwitterionic phosphorylcholine group. DOX could be efficiently loaded into the micelles with a loading efficiency of 44–67%. The DOX‐loaded micelles showed lower cytotoxicity than free drugs and efficiently delivered and released the drug into cancer cells. With these properties, the PLA‐b‐PMPC polymer micelles are attractive as drug carriers for pharmaceutical application.

     

Amphiphilic Block Copolymers with Pendent Sugar as Hydrophilic Segments and Their Surface Properties

The block copolymers of styrene ( St ) and 2,3;4,5‐diisopropylidene‐1‐(4‐vinylphenyl)‐D ‐gluco(D ‐manno)pentitol ( 1 ) were prepared by TEMPO‐mediated free‐radical polymerization. The polystyrene‐bearing TEMPO fragment at the chain end was used as the macromolecular initiator for 1 , and the poly1 ‐bearing TEMPO fragment at the chain end was used as the initiator for St . Corresponding amphiphilic block copolymers were produced after removing isopropylidene by treating the samples with trifluoroacetic acid and water (9/1, v/v). The surface properties of the cast films on silanized glass substrates from N,N‐dimethylformamide solutions were characterized by contact‐angle analysis. The results show that the surface properties of the as‐cast films are hydrophobic and became hydrophilic when the films were treated with hot water. This suggests that the structures of the outermost surface could be reorganized according the treating conditions. The relatively longer polystyrene segments in the copolymers seem to increase the ability of the domain to reconstruct. The adsorption of the novel amphiphilic block copolymers on a polystyrene plate was also studied by the contact‐angle method. It was found that the surface quickly became hydrophilic simply by spreading a low concentration of an aqueous solution of the copolymer on the substrate.     

pH‐Sensitive Micelles Formed by Interchain Hydrogen Bonding of Poly(methacrylic acid)‐block‐Poly(ethylene oxide) Copolymers

pH‐sensitive micelles formed by interchain hydrogen bonding of poly(methacrylic acid)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers were prepared and investigated at pH < 5. Both and R_h of the micelles increase with decreasing pH of the solution, displaying an asymptotic tendency at low pH values. The observed micelles are well‐defined nanoparticles with narrow size distributions (polydispersity ΔR_h/R_h ≤ 0.05) comparable with regular diblock copolymer micelles. The CMCs occur slightly below c = 1 × 10^?4 g · mL^?1. The micelles are negatively charged and their time stability is lower than that of regular copolymer micelles based purely on hydrophobic interactions.

     

Fiber‐Like Micelles from the Crystallization‐Driven Self‐Assembly of Poly(3‐heptylselenophene)‐block‐Polystyrene

The crystallization‐driven self‐assembly (CDSA) of crystalline‐coil polyselenophene diblock copolymers represents a facile approach to nanofibers with distinct optoelectronic properties relative to those of their polythiophene analogs. The synthesis of an asymmetric diblock copolymer with a crystallizable, π‐conjugated poly(3‐heptylselenophene) (P3C7Se) block and an amorphous polystyrene (PS) coblock is described. CDSA was performed in solvents selective for the PS block. Based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, P3C7Se₁₈‐b‐PS₁₂₅ formed very long (up to 5 μm), highly aggregated nanofibers in n‐butyl acetate (nBuOAc) whereas shorter (ca. 500 nm) micelles of low polydispersity were obtained in cyclohexane. The micelle core widths in both solvents determined from TEM analysis (≈ 8 nm) were commensurate with fully‐extended P3C7Se₁₈ chains (estimated length = 7.1 nm). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis provided characterization of the micelle cross‐section including the PS corona (overall micelle width ≈ 60 nm). The crystallinity of the micelle cores was probed by UV–vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS).     

Poly(hydroxyl propyl methacrylate)‐b‐Poly(oligo ethylene glycol methacrylate) Thermoresponsive Block Copolymers by RAFT Polymerization

Thermoresponsive amphiphilic poly(hydroxyl propyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(oligo ethylene glycol methacrylate) block copolymers (PHPMA‐b‐POEGMA) are synthesized by RAFT polymerization, with different compositions and molecular weights. The copolymers are molecularly characterized by size‐exclusion chromophotography, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and static light scattering (SLS) experiments in aqueous solutions show that the copolymers respond to temperature variations via formation of self‐organized nanoscale aggregates. Aggregate structural characteristics depend on copolymer composition, molecular weight, and ionic strength of the solution. Fluorescence spectroscopy experiments confirm the presence of less hydrophilic domains within the aggregates at higher temperatures. The thermoresponsive behavior of the PHPMA‐b‐POEGMA block copolymers is attributed to the particular solubility characteristics of the hydrophilic, water insoluble PHPMA block that are modulated by the presence of the water soluble POEGMA block.