Macromolecular Rapid Communications, Vol.27, No.20, 1757-1763, 2006
Stimuli-responsive A-b-(B-co-C) diblock terpolymers bearing polyampholyte sequences
Diblock terpolymers, that consist of homopolymer and statistical copolymer (polyampholyte) building blocks are synthesized by group transfer polymerization. Two types of block tepolymers are explored in aqueous media: the amphiphilic poly{[(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylatel-co-(methacrylic acid))-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) and the double hydrophilic poly [oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylatel-block-poly{[(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylatel-co-(methacrylic acid)}. The first terpolymer self-assembles in aqueous media to form responsive micelles that change their corona charge sign upon switching pH. The second terpolymer exhibits a multi-responsive behavior. It forms neutral, positive, or negative micelles depending on a combination of different environmental conditions such as temperature, pH, and ionic strength.
Keywords:diblock terpolymer;double hydrophilic;micelles;polyampholyte;responsive;stimuli;sensitive polymers