Block copolymer contamination

The gel permeation chromatogram shown in Fig. 6 illustrates the purity of a block copolymer obtained by ion coupling. It is seen that about 5% of uncoupled block copolymer contaminates a triblock copolymer of narrow molecular weight distribution. The synthesis of star block polymers owes its recent development to the use of new coupling agents412. ... 

Both methods require that the polymerization of the first monomer not be carried to completion, usually 90% conversion is the maximum conversion, because the extent of normal bimolecular termination increases as the monomer concentration decreases. This would result in loss of polymer chains with halogen end groups and a corresponding loss of the ability to propagate when the second monomer is added. The final product would he a block copolymer contaminated with homopolymer A. Similarly, the isolated macroinitiator method requires isolation of RA X prior to complete conversion so that there is a minimum loss of functional groups for initiation. Loss of functionality is also minimized by adjusting the choice and amount of the components of the reaction system (activator, deactivator, ligand, solvent) and other reaction conditions (concentration, temperature) to minimize normal termination. 

Recently, unique vesicle-forming (spherical bUayers that offer a hydrophilic reservoir, suitable for incorporation of water-soluble molecules, as well as hydrophobic wall that protects the loaded molecules from the external solution) setf-assembUng peptide-based amphiphilic block copolymers that mimic biological membranes have attracted great interest as polymersomes or functional polymersomes due to their new and promising applications in dmg delivery and artificial cells [ 122]. However, in all the cases the block copolymers formed are chemically dispersed and are often contaminated with homopolymer. 

GTP was employed for the synthesis of block copolymers with the first block PDMAEMA and the second PDEAEMA, poly[2-(diisopropylamino)e-thyl methacrylate], PDIPAEMA or poly[2-(N-morpholino)ethyl methacrylate], PM EM A (Scheme 33) [87]. The reactions took place under an inert atmosphere in THF at room temperature with l-methoxy-l-trimethylsiloxy-2-methyl-1-propane, MTS, as the initiator and tetra-n-butyl ammonium bibenzoate, TBABB, as the catalyst. Little or no homopolymer contamination was evidenced by SEC analysis. Copolymers in high yields with controlled molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions were obtained in all cases. The micellar properties of these materials were studied in aqueous solutions. 

Employing similar procedures, PPO-fc-POEGMA block copolymers and POEGMA-fc-PPO-fc-POEGMA triblock copolymers were prepared from the corresponding PPO macroinitiators [129]. The polymerizations were performed in a isopropanol/water (70/30) mixture at 20 °C using CuCl and bpy. The methacrylate monomer was almost quantitatively polymerized, and the polydispersities were lower than 1.25 in most cases. Less than 5% PPO homopolymer contamination was detected by SEC analysis. 

No formal termination is given in structure 5.42 because in the absence of contaminants the product is a stable macroanion. Szwarz named such stable active species living polymers. These macroanions or macrocarbanions have been used to produce block copolymers such as Kraton. Kraton is an ABA block copolymer of styrene (A) and butadiene (B) (structure 5.43). Termination is brought about by addition of water, ethanol, carbon dioxide, or oxygen. 

In contrast to those block copolymers synthesised from styrene in bulk, those synthesised from isoprene and butyl acrylate in emulsion or solution were contaminated by only small amounts of homopolymer. Furthermore, it should be noted that Piirma et al. 74 7S) have turned to the reverse reaction order for preparing poly(styrene-b-MMA), i.e. they synthesised the prepolymer using an azo initiation and the subsequent block copolymer via a peroxide redox initiation. 

There are several ways in which block copolymers can be made. The three main methods are (1) sequential addition of monomers, (2) the preparation of a functionalized polymer followed by the use of the functionalized polymer as a macroinitiator or chain-stopper for initiation or termination of polymerization of the second monomer, and (3) use of a multiple-headed initiator. The purity of the block copolymers produced in these processes is dependent upon the livingness (lack of side reactions that lead to termination) of the chemistry used to make them. If the integrity of the chain-ends is maintained throughout the polymerization because all possible termination mechanisms are absent or eliminated, then pure block copolymers can be produced. If, however, impurities get into the process or if there are side reactions that lead to chain termination, the resulting block copolymers are contaminated with some homopolymer. Depending upon the application, some contamination of homopolymer in the block copolymer may be acceptable. 

The S-B block copolymer produced (XII) was characterized by a variety of techniques including NMR, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results of these analyses clearly showed that the block copolymer was fairly pure with very little homopolymer contamination. 

The statistical anionic copolymerization of acrylates and methacrylates is also controlled in the presence of LiOEEM (30), as testified by the copolymerization of MMA and tBuA in THF at —78°C. Block copolymers were also prepared by the sequential polymerization of at least two methacrylates and acrylates. For instance, PMMA- >/c cA -PbBuA and PMMA-fcZocA -PnNonA were synthesized . The addition order of the comonomers is important. Indeed, when living PnBuA is the macroinitiator of the MMA polymerization, the expected block copolymer is contaminated by homo-PnBuA, which is not the case when the polymerization sequence is reversed. A fuUy acrylic-based thermoplastic elastomer, PMMA-fcZocA -P(2EtHA)-fcZocA -PMMA, was prepared by the sequential LiOEEM-ligated polymerization of MMA, 2-EtHA and MMA. ... 

---