Fluorine‐containing linear block terpolymers: Synthesis and self‐assembly in solution

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Part A, Polymer chemistry Polymer chemistry, 2011-01, Vol.49 (2), p.414-422
• Main Authors: He, Lihong, Hinestrosa, Juan Pablo, Pickel, Joseph M, Zhang, Shanju, Bucknall, David G, Kilbey II, S. Michael, Mays, Jimmy W, Hong, Kunlun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; gel chromatography; light scattering; methanol; Methyl alcohol; Micelles; Nuclear magnetic resonance; nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; PnBMA-PMMA-P2FEMA; poly(2-fluoroethyl methacrylate); Polymerization; polymers; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Rafts; Reproduction; scanning electron microscopy; Self assembly; solvents; synthesis; Terpolymers; tetrahydrofuran; triblock terpolymer
• ISSN: 0887-624X; 1099-0518; 1099-0518
• DOI: 10.1002/pola.24453

Linear triblock terpolymers of poly(n‐butyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(2‐fluoroethyl methacrylate) (PnBMA‐PMMA‐P2FEMA) were synthesized by sequential reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Kinetic studies of the homopolymerization of 2FEMA by RAFT polymerization demonstrated controllable characteristics with fairly narrow polydispersities (∼1.30). The resultant PnBMA‐PMMA‐P2FEMA triblock terpolymers were characterized via ¹H NMR, ¹⁹F NMR, and gel permeation chromatography. These polymers formed micellar aggregates in a selective solvent mixture. The as‐formed micelles were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. It was found that these terpolymers could directly self‐organize into complex micelles in a tetrahydrofuran/methanol mixture with diameters that depended on polymer composition.