Double-Hydrophilic Block Copolymers Forming Intramolecular Polycomplexes

Abstract

Double-hydrophilic block copolymers containing the charged blocks of poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) and the neutral blocks of monomethyl ether of poly(ethylene oxide) (MEPEO) are synthesized by a free radical block copolymerization of PAAc with monomethyl ether of poly(ethylene glycol) of various molecular weights (M _vMEPEG = 1.1·10³ – 5·10³). It is revealed that the block copolymerization has a matrix character because non-covalent interactions of propagating PAAc chains with MEPEG. This fact points out the formation of intramolecular polycomplexes in the given diblock copolymers. The MEPEO-b-PAAc copolymers obtained are characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.

Keywords:

• diblock copolymer
• dynamic matrix effect
• hydrogen bonds
• intramolecular polycomplex
• poly(acrylic acid)

Notes

^a The molar ratio between Ce^1V and AAc.

^b The polymerization rate at the 20% and 40% monomer conversion.

^c The monomer conversion in 28.5 hours after the polymerization beginning.