Abstract
We describe the preparation and the surface properties of monolayers of a new set of (PB-b-PEO)4 amphiphilic four-arm star block copolymers. A divergent anionic polymerization method yielded copolymers with well-defined molecular weights, block volume fractions, and architecture. Initially, tri- and tetracarbanionic initiators were used to initiate the polymerization of butadiene followed by end-capping of living chains with ethylene oxide. The tri- and tetrafunctionalities of the resulting hydroxyl-terminated star polydienes were confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The four-arm star polymeric alcohols were then titrated with diphenylmethylpotassium to yield the analogous potassium alkoxides. The resulting macroinitiators were used to polymerize corona blocks of ethylene oxide. Different samples of well-defined (PB-b-PEO)4 amphiphilic star block copolymers exhibiting narrow molar mass distribution were prepared with poly(ethylene oxide) over a range of volume fractions. Isotherm experiments at the air/water...
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