Poly(N-tert-butyl acrylamide-b-N-acryloylmorpholine) amphiphilic block copolymers via RAFT polymerization:: Synthesis, purification and characterization

Amphiphilic block copolymers consisting of two poly(acrylamide) derivative blocks have been synthesized via the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization process with a hydrophobic block, poly(N-tert-butyl acrylamide), poly(TBAm), and a non-ionic hydrophilic one. poly(N-acryloylmorpholine), poly(NAM). Both polymerization orders, poly(TBAm-b-NAM) and poly(NAM-b-TBAm), were compared in terms of conversion and control over molecular weights (MW). Purification of the block copolymers was carried out via several methods in order to optimize their subsequent characterization. H-1 NMR analysis resulted in an accurate determination of the second block MW whereas determination of the CMC by the pendant drop method confirmed the ability of the poly(TBAm-b-NAM) block copolymers to self-assemble into micelles in aqueous phase. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.