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Synthesis of Novel μ‐Star Copolymers with Poly( N ‐Octyl Benzamide) and Poly(ε‐Caprolactone) Miktoarms through Chain‐Growth Condensation Polymerization, Styrenics‐Assisted Atom Transfer Radical Coupling, and Ring‐Opening Polymerization
Author(s) -
Huang ChihFeng,
Aimi Junko,
Lai KuanYu
Publication year - 2017
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.201600607
Subject(s) - copolymer , atom transfer radical polymerization , polymer chemistry , ring opening polymerization , polymerization , materials science , gel permeation chromatography , polycaprolactone , condensation polymer , radical polymerization , chain transfer , polymer , composite material
Star copolymers are known to phase separate on the nanoscale, providing useful self‐assembled morphologies. In this study, the authors investigate synthesis and assembly behavior of miktoarm star (μ‐star) copolymers. The authors employ a new strategy for the synthesis of unprecedented μ‐star copolymers presenting poly( N ‐octyl benzamide) (PBA) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) arms: a combination of chain‐growth condensation polymerization, styrenics‐assisted atom transfer radical coupling, and ring‐opening polymerization. Gel permeation chromatography, mass‐analyzed laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, and 1 H NMR spectroscopy reveal the successful synthesis of a well‐defined (PBA 11 ) 2 ‐(PCL 15 ) 4 μ‐star copolymer ( M n ,NMR ≈ 12 620; Đ = 1.22). Preliminary examination of the PBA 2 PCL 4 μ‐star copolymer reveals assembled nanofibers having a uniform diameter of ≈20 nm.