Solution behavior of thermoresponsive random and gradient copolymers of 2-n-propyl-2-oxazoline

[Display omitted] •Gradient copolymers of 2-oxazolines above cac show hysteresis of phase transition.•Gradient copolymers organize above cac in aqueous solution.•Observed complex aggregation depends on copolymer concentration and temperature. A series of thermoresponsive random copolymers based on 2...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European polymer journal 2017-03, Vol.88, p.613-622
Main Authors: Oleszko-Torbus, Natalia, Utrata-Wesołek, Alicja, Wałach, Wojciech, Dworak, Andrzej
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agglomeration
Aqueous solutions
Atomic force microscopy
Cationic polymerization
Chemical synthesis
Composition effects
Concentration (composition)
Copolymers
Gradient copolymers
Phase transitions
Photon correlation spectroscopy
Poly(2-n-propyl-2-oxazoline)
Polymerization
Polyoxazolines
Self-assembly
Thermoresponsive polymers
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Summary:[Display omitted] •Gradient copolymers of 2-oxazolines above cac show hysteresis of phase transition.•Gradient copolymers organize above cac in aqueous solution.•Observed complex aggregation depends on copolymer concentration and temperature. A series of thermoresponsive random copolymers based on 2-n-propyl-2-oxazoline (nPrOx) and 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline, and gradient copolymers of 2-n-propyl-2-oxazoline with 2-methyl- or 2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline were synthesized by living cationic polymerization. In each copolymer series a similar ratio of comonomers was applied. The study focused on behavior of the obtained copolymers in aqueous solution. The effect of the copolymer composition and concentration on the cloud points and the aggregation was followed by the UV–Vis and dynamic light scattering measurements. The copolymers displayed complex aggregation behavior dependent on the polymer concentration and temperature. The atomic force microscopy was used to visualize the particles formed by the nPrOx copolymers. The phase transition for copolymers was reversible. The gradient copolymers exhibited noticeable hysteresis the value of which was dependent on affinity of comonomers to water and on copolymer composition.
ISSN:0014-3057
1873-1945
DOI:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2016.11.008