Architecture of nanostructured polymers by segregated domain crosslinking of block‐graft copolymer micelles

Abstract

Polystyrene-block-polyisoprene (PS-block-PI; high 3,4-structure) diblock copolymer was prepared by living anionic polymerization. For transfer into a reactive intermediate, the hydroxylation of the double bonds of PI block was achieved by hydroboration, followed by oxidation. Esterification of the hydroxy-derivative with stearoyl chloride or decanoyl chloride resulted in block-graft copolymers composed of PS (flexible chain)-grafted long alkane (stretched chains). After partial chloromethylation of PS block copolymer, photofunctional N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate (DC) groups were introduced into such pendant sites by reaction with the corresponding sodium salt. We studied the self-assemblies of photofunctional block-graft copolymers in a selective solvent, such as heptane, and constructed nanostructured polymers by crosslinking PS cores under UV irradiation. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry