RAFT polymerization at 70 degrees C in 1,4-dioxane with a trithiocarbonate as a CTA is used to synthesize well-defined poly(N-acrylamidohexanoic acid) with pre-determined molecular weight, narrow molar mass dispersity and precise chain end structure. Amphiphilic block copolymers of N-acrylamidohexanoic acid with N-vinylcaprolactam is synthesized and characterized by H-1 NMR, FTIR and GPC. The micelles formed by poly(N-acrylamidohexanoic acid)-b-poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) block copolymer in aqueous solution are characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy of 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde (1-PyCHO) probe, light scattering and TEM analysis. The critical micelle concentration value of the block copolymers, determined by UV visible spectroscopy increased with the increase in the chain length of PVCL block. 1-PyCHO is encapsulated into the core of micelles via dialysis method. Loading of 5.3 wt % is observed and the micelles containing 1-PyCHO exhibit a sustained release profile. The results indicate that the PNAHA-b-PVCL micelles may be a potential drug delivery carrier for hydrophobic molecules. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.