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Topology Reliable LCST‐Type Behavior of ABA Triblock Polymer and Influence on Water Condensation and Crystallization
Author(s) -
Chen Jing,
Qiu Teng,
Guo Longhai,
He Lifan,
Li Xiaoyu
Publication year - 2021
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.202100024
Subject(s) - copolymer , materials science , lower critical solution temperature , polymer chemistry , chain transfer , polymerization , polymer , micelle , degree of polymerization , chemical engineering , crystallization , glass transition , aqueous solution , radical polymerization , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , engineering
As a kind of smart material, thermoresponsive hydrogels are widely investigated and applied in many fields. Due to the limitation of the freezing temperature of the water, it is a challenge to further broaden their sol–gel transition temperature ( T gel ) range, especially below 0 °C. Herein, the lower critical solution temperature type of amphiphilic ABA triblock copolymers, synthesized via two‐step reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is demonstrated. The hydrophilic A‐block and the hydrophobic B‐block are composed of poly( N,N ‐dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAA) and poly(diacetone acrylamide) (PDAAM), respectively. The degree of polymerization (DP) of both A‐block and B‐block shows a significant influence on the T gel of triblock copolymer dispersion. By changing the length of these two blocks or physically blending these copolymers dispersions, the T gel can be well adjusted in a temperature range from 45 to −10 °C. Moreover, When the T gel is higher than 4 °C, the triblock copolymer coatings show a good anti‐fogging property. And when the T gel is around or lower than the freezing temperature of the water, aqueous dispersions of the triblock copolymer have an ice recrystallization inhibition activity, resulting in the decrease of average maximum grain size (MLGS) of ice crystal.