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Preparation and morphology of amphiphilic polystyrene–poly (2‐vinylpyridine) heteroarm star copolymers prepared by ATRP
Author(s) -
Yu YangYen,
Chien WenChen,
Chen ShihTing
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.2483
Subject(s) - copolymer , materials science , atom transfer radical polymerization , amphiphile , dispersity , polymer chemistry , polystyrene , micelle , chemical engineering , polymer , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , aqueous solution , engineering
BACKGROUND: The self‐assembly of amphiphilic copolymers has been demonstrated to be a powerful route towards supramolecular objects with novel architectures, functions and physical properties. In this study, the synthesis and morphology of amphiphilic linear polystyrene (PS)‐ block ‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (P2VP) and heteroarm star PS‐ star ‐P2VP copolymers are studied. The dispersion of silver nanoparticles with the prepared PS‐ block ‐P2VP and PS‐ star ‐P2VP copolymers is also discussed. RESULTS: Amphiphilic copolymers with different P2VP chain lengths were successfully synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The copolymers prepared had low polydispersity indices. Various aggregate morphologies, including spheres, vesicles, rods, large compound micelles, two‐dimensional ring‐like and three‐dimensional hollow structures, were formed by varying the hydrophilic coil length and the selective solvent content. Silver nanoparticles showed good dispersion behavior in both types of copolymers. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, it will be possible to prepare metal/copolymer nanocomposites by direct mixing. Further, the PS‐ block ‐P2VP and PS‐ star ‐P2VP copolymers prepared can be used in the preparation of nanoporous films as templates and nanoparticles as nanoreactors. They can also be applied in terms of oil recovery, paints and cosmetics formulations, as well as in pharmaceutical and medical applications as rheological agents. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry