Thermosensitive diblock copolymers with designed molecular weight distribution: Synthesis by continuous living cationic polymerization and micellization behavior

The synthesis of diblock copolymers with designed molecular weight distributions (MWDs) was successfully demonstrated in a continuous living cationic polymerization system using simple equipment. The control of MWDs was achieved by gradually feeding a polymerization reaction mixture into a terminating agent. As thermosensitive diblock copolymers, poly(vinyl ethers) containing a thermosensitive segment with oxyethylene side chains and a hydrophilic segment were prepared. The polymerization was carried out in a gas-tight microsyringe, and the polymerization mixture was added continuously into methanol during the second-stage polymerization. The self-association behavior of the resulting diblock copolymers was evaluated by dynamic light scattering in water. MWD-designed polymers with thermosensitive segments that varied continuously in length and hydrophilic segments of nearly uniform lengths formed micelles with a broad size distribution. Conversely, polymers with nearly uniform thermosensitive segments and hydrophilic segments of different lengths formed micelles with a narrow size distribution, as observed with conventional narrow MWD diblock copolymers. Thus, the MWD of the thermosensitive segment proved a decisive factor in achieving fine control of self-association. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.