RAFT synthesis and solution properties of pH-responsive styrenic-based AB diblock copolymers of 4-vinylbenzyltrimethylphosphonium chloride with N,N-dimethylbenzylvinylamine

摘要

The RAFT synthesis and solution properties of AB block copolymers of 4-vinylbenzyl-trimethylphosphonium chloride (TMP) and N,N-dimethylbenzylvinylamine (DMBVA) is described. The pH-dependent self-assembly properties of the AB diblock copolymers were examined using of H-1 NMR, DLS, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The size of the polymeric aggregates depends on the block copolymer composition/molecular mass. The self assembly is completely reversible, as predicted from the tunable hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the DMBVA residues. The AB diblock copolymers can be effectively locked in the self-assembled state using a straightforward core crosslinking reaction between the tertiary amine residues of DMBVA and difunctional 1,4-bis(bromomethyl)benzene.