Jeremy M. Rathfon, G. Tew
Apr 1, 2008
Citations
0
Influential Citations
28
Citations
Journal
Polymer
Abstract
Abstract Polymers exhibiting a thermoresponsive, lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phase transition have proven to be useful for many applications as “smart” or “intelligent” materials. A series of poly( N -isopropylmethacrylamide) (PNIPMAM) polymer, poly( N -isopropylmethacrylamide)- b -poly(acrylic acid) (PNIPMAM- b -PAA) diblock, and poly(acrylic acid)- b -poly( N -isopropylmethacrylamide)- b -poly(acrylic acid) (PAA- b -PNIPMAM- b -AA) triblock copolymer samples were synthesized via ATRP. A facile post-functionalization route was developed that uses an activated ester functionality to convert poly( N -methacryloxysuccinimide) (PMASI) blocks to LCST capable polyacrylamide, while poly( t -butyl acrylate) (P t BA) blocks were converted to water-soluble poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). The post-functionalization was monitored via 1 H NMR and ATR-FTIR. The aqueous solution properties were explored and the PNIPMAM polymers were shown to have a LCST phase transition varying from 35 to 60 °C. The ability to synthesize block copolymers that are thermoresponsive and water-soluble will be of great benefit for broader applications in drug delivery, bioengineering, and nanotechnology.