ABC triblock polyampholytes containing a neutral hydrophobic block, a polyacid and a polybase

Well defined ABC triblock copolymers of polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine)-block-poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) and polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine)poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) were synthesized by sequential living anionic polymerization in tetrahydrofuran. Triblock copolymers with narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained. Hydrolysis of the poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) block yields polystyrene-block-polyvinylpyridine-block-poly (methacrylic acid) which demonstrates pH-dependent solution properties. Interpolymer complexation of the polyvinylpyridine and poly (methacrylic acid) blocks in the micellar solution is studied in dependence of the pH in solution by potentiometric, conductometric and turbidimetric titration, and in bulk by FTIR spectroscopy.