Individually addressable thermo- and redox-responsive block copolymers by combining anionic polymerization and RAFT protocols.
A novel diblock copolymer consisting of poly(vinylferrocene) (PVFc) and poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide) (PDEA) is synthesized via a combination of anionic and RAFT polymerization. The use of a novel route to hydroxyl-end-functionalized metallopolymers in anionic polymerization and subsequent esterification with a RAFT agent leads to a PVFc macro-CTA (M¯n = 3800 g mol(-1) ; Đ = 1.17). RAFT polymerization with DEA affords block copolymers as evidenced by (1) H NMR spectroscopy as well as size exclusion chromatography (6400 ≤ M¯n≤ 33700 g mol(-1) ; 1.31 ≤ Đ 1.28). Self-assembly of the amphiphilic block copolymers in aqueous solution leads to micelles as shown via TEM. Importantly, the distinct thermo-responsive and redox-responsive character of the blocks is probed via dynamic light scattering and found to be individually and repeatedly addressable.
Preparative Macromolecular Chemistry, Institut für Technische Chemie und Polymerchemie, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Engesserstraße 18, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany and Institut für Biologische Grenzflächen, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
Bernhard V K J
BV
Schmidt
Johannes
J
Elbert
Christopher
C
Barner-Kowollik
Markus
M
Gallei
D000838:Anions / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010316:Particle Size; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
D000838:Anions; D011108:Polymers
RAFT poly­merization; anionic polymerization; ferrocene; redox-responsive; thermo-responsive