Synthesis of Amphiphilic Polymers Based on Fatty Acids and Glycerol-Derived Monomers - A Study of Their Self-Assembly in Water

Amphiphilic polymers are synthesized from various biobased compounds involving telomerization of glycerin-derived acrylate monomers with mercaptan-modified fatty acids. The effects of the chemical structure of the saturated or unsaturated hydrophobic block are investigated. Dynamic and static light scattering measurements, transmission electronic microscopy, and atomic force microscopy observations show that these copolymers are capable of self-assembling into nanosized spherical particles in aqueous solution, made from compound micelles. The critical micellar concentration of these polymers is in the range of 10-60 mg L-1 determined by fluorescence. These biobased polymers could have applications in various industrial fields, such as cosmetics and agrochemicals. Various biobased compounds are polymerized to give amphiphilic polymers according to a simple procedure. Telomerization of glycerin-derived acrylate with mercaptan-modified fatty acids as telogen agents is studied, leading to telomers capable of self-assembling into nanosized spherical particles in aqueous solution. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.