Synthesis, self-assembly and pH sensitivity of a novel fluorinated triphilic block copolymer

• Published in: Chinese journal of polymer science Vol. 35; no. 11; pp. 1363 - 1372
• Main Authors: Li, Xin-xin, Huo, Xiao, Han, Hui-jiao, Lin, Shao-liang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Beijing Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Chemistry, CAS 01.11.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Addition polymerization; Block copolymers; Chain transfer; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Copolymers; Drug delivery systems; Electron microscopy; Fluorination; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Phase separation; Photon correlation spectroscopy; Polymer Sciences; Polymerization; Self-assembly; Transmission electron microscopy; Self-assembly; Triphilic block copolymer; Multi-compartment structure; pH sensitivity; Fluorinated copolymer
• ISSN: 0256-7679; 1439-6203
• DOI: 10.1007/s10118-017-1963-0

A novel fluorinated triblock copolymer incorporating 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (EHMA), tert-butyl methacrylate (tBMA) and 1 H ,1 H ,2 H ,2 H -perfluorodecyl acrylate (FA) (PEHMA- b -P t BMA- b -PFA) was first synthesized using three successive reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and the subsequent hydrolyzing at acidic condition. The as-fabricated triblock copolymer exhibited an interesting morphology evolution from the multi-compartment rod-like structure to spherical structure along with the addition of a selective solution. At the same time, a visible phase separation domain could be seen in the core area due to the existence of fluorocarbon segments. Furthermore, the self-assembly behavior of the triphilic copolymer at different pH was also verified by transmission electron microscopy, as well as the dynamic light scattering. These stimuli-responsive multi-compartment nanostructures may have potential applications in drug delivery.