Shape-switching self-assembly of new diblock copolymers with UCST-type and LCST-type segments in water

A dual thermosensitive behavior, i.e. , self-assembly at both high and low temperatures, was achieved in water using vinyl ether block copolymers with imidazolium salt side-chains (exhibiting a UCST behavior) and oxyethylene side-chains (exhibiting an LCST behavior). The block copolymers were precis...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymer chemistry 2016-01, Vol.7 (11), p.262-268
Main Authors: Yoshimitsu, H, Korchagina, E, Kanazawa, A, Kanaoka, S, Winnik, F. M, Aoshima, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Block copolymers
Fluorescence
Light scattering
Micelles
Self assembly
Sol gel process
Thermosensitive
Vinyl ethers
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Summary:A dual thermosensitive behavior, i.e. , self-assembly at both high and low temperatures, was achieved in water using vinyl ether block copolymers with imidazolium salt side-chains (exhibiting a UCST behavior) and oxyethylene side-chains (exhibiting an LCST behavior). The block copolymers were precisely prepared via living cationic polymerization in the presence of a weak Lewis base. They formed micelles at lower temperatures and vesicles at higher temperatures in water, as confirmed via UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), static light scattering (SLS), variable temperature 1 H NMR, and fluorescence measurements using pyrene as a polarity-sensitive probe. Furthermore, concentrated aqueous solutions of the block copolymers underwent sol-gel transitions by either raising or lowering the temperature. Novel dual thermosensitive diblock copolymers with an imidazolium salt and oxyethylene side-chains which self-assemble into micelles and vesicles in water depending on the temperature are precisely synthesized.
ISSN:1759-9954
1759-9962
DOI:10.1039/c5py01976a