Synthesis and Characterization of Amphiphilic PEG Based Aliphatic and Aromatic Polymers and their Self-Assembling Behavior

Twelve amphiphilic polymers were synthesized using poly(ethylene glycols) (PEGs) of different molecular weights, viz. 1000, 2000 and 4000 as hydrophilic block and linkers namely azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dimethyl isophthalate acid and dimethyl terephthalate as hydrophobic block in the presence of catalyst Conc. H2SO4. Synthesized polymers were characterized by using H-1-NMR, C-13-NMR and IR spectroscopy. Micellar sizes of the polymers were determined using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) which ranged from 51.6-174 nm for aliphatic polymers and 135.5-371 nm for aromatic polymers. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) results confirm the findings of DLS. Critical Micelle Concentrations (CMC) of the synthesized polymers were determined using electrical conductivity meter which ranged from 95 to 130 mg L-1 for aliphatic polymers and 420-1500 mg L-1 for aromatic polymers.