title: Controlled synthesis and interface properties of new amphiphilic PCL-g-PEO copolymers.
abstract: Novel biodegradable and biocompatible poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-graft-poly(ethylene oxide), PCL-g-PEO, copolymers consisting of biocompatible blocks have been synthesized by ring-opening copolymerization of epsilon-caprolactone (epsilon CL) and a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macromonomer, i.e., PEO end-capped by an epsilon-caprolactone unit (gamma PEO.CL). The control is effective on the composition and length of both the hydrophobic polyester backbone and the hydrophilic PEO grafts. The reactivity ratios have been determined by monitoring the copolymer composition in relation to the comonomer conversion. The PCL-g-PEO copolymers have a tapered (gradient) rather than a random structure consistent with r(epsilon)CL = 3.95 and r(gamma)PEO.CL = 0.05. The amphiphilic graft copolymers display surfactant properties similar to those of PEO-b-PCL diblock copolymers of comparable composition and solubility, as supported by CHCl3/water interfacial tension measured by the pendant drop method.
authors.affiliation: Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM), University of Liège, Sart-Tilman B6, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rieger
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jérôme
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jérôme
mesh_terms: D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D014867:Water; C016240:polycaprolactone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols