ABC terpolymers

When a chemical variety of a linear block copolymer is increased to three different components, an intricate diversity of structures becomes possible [188, 189], This is due to considerable increase in the number of involved polymer-polymer and polymer-surfaces interaction parameters. The studies on thin film behavior of ABC terpolymers are rare, even though they may potentially be more versatile than binary block copolymer morphologies due to the increased complexity. 

Tsitsilianis C, Roiter Y et al (2008) Diversity of nanostructured self-assemblies from a pH-responsive ABC terpolymer in aqueous media. Macromolecules 41 925-934... 

Recently, Perro et al. [55] reviewed the developments in the field of Janus particles over the last 15 years, describing various strategies to obtain Janus-type particles using polymer precursors. One strategy is based on the self-assembly of ABC terpolymers in bulk [56, 57] or in solution [58], Another uses the electrostatic interactions of AB and CD diblock copolymers, which lead to inter-polyelectrolyte complexes [59], A different synthetic concept is to obtain Janus particles made of inorganic materials, e.g., acorn-like particles made of PdSx-CogSg [60] or... 

As discussed in Chapter 2, mass spectra of copolymers are usually more complex as compared to homopolymers. Furthermore, the number of peaks increases with chain size. In e case of two different monomers (an AB copolymer), the number of peaks increases linearly, whereas in the case of three different monomers (an ABC terpolymer), the number increases quad-ratically with chain size. As a consequence, a higher mass resoluhon is required (as compared to homopolymers) in order to detect as separate peaks the signals due to the individual oligomers in the copolymer. 

The topology of the hydrophobic block is critical in the double-hydrophilic ABC terpolymers since it determines the self-assemblies in aqueous media. For instance, P2VP-PMMA-PAA, prepared by sequential monomer addition, forms now micellar self-assemblies bearing oppositely charged corona chains (P2VP, PAA). These living self-assemblies, called heteroarm star-like micelles, are sensitive to pH changes and can further associate in a second level of hierarchy. 

GTP is a versatile polymerization method to prepare ABC terpolymers using the sequential monomer addition route. The advantage of the method is the fact that the order of the addition of the monomers need not be considered since methacrylic types are usually used. Therefore, all the topological isomers ABC, ACB, and BAG can be made by just changing the monomer addition order under the same initiator and reaction conditions. A representative example is the synthesis... 

ABC terpolymers bearing three different VE monomers have been synthesized using the sequential monomer addition pathway. A very interesting recent example is the nonionic triple-hydrophilic poly(2-ethoxyethyl vinyl ether)-l -poly (2-methoxyethyl vinyl ether)-l -poly[(2-ethoxy)ethoxyethyl vinyl ether] (PEOVE-PMOVE-PEOEOVE). It was synthesized... 

PEO-Br macroinitiators are often used to prepare ABC terpolymers through the macroinitiator approach. An interesting example wherein this approach has been utilized is the preparation of PEO-PDEAEMA-PHEMA (HEMA 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The synthesis was performed in a one-pot reaction with sequential addition of monomers DEAEMA and HEMA. Accordingly the PHEMA block was converted by esterification, using excess succinic anhydride in pyridine, yielding the final product PEO-PDEAEMA-PSEMA. This triple-hydrophilic block terpolymer exhibits pH-responsive self-association. It forms three types of micelles, the corona of which changes its nature from cationic protonated PDEAEMA (low pH) to natural PEO (intermediate pH) and to anionic neutralized PSEMA (high pH), as a function of solution pH. ... 

RAFT polymerization has been employed also in the synthesis of ABC terpolymers. PVBCl-b-PSt-l7-PVBFP... 

How does the chain topology influence the morphological behavior of ABC terpolymers ... 

Linear, star-shaped miktoarm, and cyclic ABC terpolymers self-oiganization in aqueous and oiganic solvents miciophase separation in the bulk theory and experiment... 

Figure 4.13 (a) AB block copolymers bearing SCS-Pd" pincer and DB24C8 recognition units, (b) ABC terpolymer containing SCS-Pd" pincer, DB24C8, and DAP supramolecular motifs. 

Katsampas I, Tsitsilianis C (2005) Hierarchical self-organization of ABC terpolymer constituted of a long polyelectrolyte end-capped by different hydrophobic blocks. Macromolecules 38 1307-1314... 

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