Abstract
Recent developments in synthetic pathways as simple reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) techniques and quantitative post-polymerization reactions, most notoriously ‘click’ reactions, leading to segmented copolymers, have broadened the molecular architectures accessible to polymer chemists as a matter of routine. Segments can be blocks, grafted chains, branchings, telechelic end-groups, covalently attached nanoparticles, nanodomains in networks, even sequences of random copolymers, and so on. In this review, we describe the variety of the segmented synthetic copolymers landscape from the point of view of their chemical affinity, or synonymous philicity, in bulk or with their surroundings, such as solvents, permeant gases, and solid surfaces. We focus on recent contributions, current trends, and perspectives regarding polyphilic copolymers, which have, in addition to hydrophilic and lipophilic segments, other philicities, for example, towards solvents, fluorophilic entities, ions, silicones, metals, nanoparticles, and liquid crystalline moieties.
Highlights
Recent developments in synthetic pathways as simple reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) techniques and quantitative post-polymerization reactions, most notoriously ‘click’ reactions, leading to segmented copolymers, have broadened the molecular architectures accessible to polymer chemists as a matter of routine
A general expression for the calculation of the Hydrophilic–Lipophilic Balance (HLB) values of amphiphilicmolecules is given by Griffin [22], as (Equation (8)): Mh here, Mh is the molar mass of the hydrophilic portion and M is the molar mass of the whole macromolecule
A surprising consequence is the self-assembly of completely water-soluble double hydrophilic block copolymers (DHBCs) into organized structures in aqueous medium [82], for example, the giant vesicles formed by poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-b-polysaccharides in water [83]
Summary
As the name ‘solubility parameter’ indicates, this concept was initially developed to judge the solvent quality for the dissolution of different species, for example, polar or non-polar ones. The scaling of the internal energy of evaporation with the molar volume is easy to understand when comparing, for example, the homologous series of the n-alkanes They all have only weak intermolecular van der Waals interactions in the range of ~1 kJ·mol−1. In order to judge the solubility of polymer (component 1) in a certain solvent (component 2), the interaction parameter χ1,2 is introduced It is given within the framework of regular solutions as (Equation (4)): χ1,2 = Vseg (δ1 − δ2 )2 /RT (4). A general expression for the calculation of the HLB values of amphiphilic (macro)molecules is given by Griffin [22], as (Equation (8)): Mh. here, Mh is the molar mass of the hydrophilic portion and M is the molar mass of the whole macromolecule. Where A and B represent the hydrophilic and hydrophobic group constants contributions, respectively [25,26]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
