Synthesis and self-assembly of brush-rod diblock copolymers in the mixed solvent of TBT/H2O

Two amphiphilic brush-rod block copolymers, PEGMA(37)-b-MBPS87 and PEGMA(37)-b-MBPS141., were synthesized via ATRP of poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) and (+) -2, 5 -bis [4'-((S)-2-methylbutoxy)phenyl] styrene (MBPS). The self-assembly of the copolymers in THF/H2O was induced by different methods. Spheres were dominant morphologies of PEGMA(37)-b-MBPS87 regardless of the initial concentration and the rate of water addition. Increase of the length of hydrophobic block, as in PEGMA(37)-b- MBPS141, led to the coexistence of primary spheres, large compound spherical and rod-like micelles at a slow water addition rate. Injecting water into the THF solution of PEGAAA(37)-b- MBPS141 quickly or pouring the THF solution into large amount of water resulted only in the formation of spheres.