Novel triphilic block copolymers based on poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)–block–poly(2-octyl-2-oxazoline) with different terminal perfluoroalkyl fragments: Synthesis and self-assembly behaviour

Abstract

We report on the synthesis and solution properties of novel fluorine-containing copolymers. Our synthetic approach provides an easy way to attach a CnF2n+1 perfluorinated terminal chain to a poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)–block–poly(2-octyl-2-oxazoline) copolymer and to combine hydrophilic, hydrophobic and fluorophilic moieties into one segmented polymer. A series of such quasi-triblock copolymers was prepared with variation of the length of the fluorinated chain end. Using a variety of experimental methods including dynamic light scattering and transmission cryo-electron microscopy, we prove that all of the synthesized copolymers self-assemble into nanostructures in aqueous milieu. The structures and shapes of the nanostructures are controlled by the length of the perfluoroalkyl chain. Single-layer and multi-layer vesicles as well as rod-like micelles are observed in aqueous solutions. The supramolecular structures described represent a potential platform for 19F magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents.