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Guidelines for the Synthesis of Block Copolymer Particles of Various Morphologies by RAFT Dispersion Polymerization
Author(s) -
Rieger Jutta
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201500028
Subject(s) - raft , copolymer , chain transfer , reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer polymerization , dispersion polymerization , polymerization , monomer , materials science , polymer , dispersion (optics) , polymer chemistry , polymer science , radical polymerization , chemical physics , chemistry , composite material , physics , optics
This article presents the recent developments of radical dispersion polymerizaton controlled by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) for the production of block copolymer particles of various morphologies, such as core‐shell spheres, worms, or vesicles. It is not meant to be an exhaustive review but it rather provides guidelines for non‐specialists. The article is subdivided into eight sections. After a general introduction, the mechanism of polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA) through RAFT‐mediated dispersion polymerization is presented and the different parameters that control the morphology produced are discussed. The next two sections are devoted to the choice of the monomer/solvent pair and the macroRAFT agent. Afterwards, post‐polymerization morphological order‐to‐order transitions (i.e. morphological transitions triggered by extrinsic stimuli) or order‐to‐disorder transitions (i.e. disassembly of chains) are discussed. Assemblies based on more complex polymer architectures, such as triblock copolymers, are presented next, and finally the possibility to stabilize these structures by crosslinking is reported. The manuscript ends with a short conclusion and an outlook.