RAFT polymerization kinetics and polymer characterization of P3HT rod-coil block copolymers

Abstract

Here an in-depth analysis of reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization kinetics is reported in order to provide better definition of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) rod–coil block copolymers thru a more thorough understanding of the RAFT polymerization of the coil block. To this end, a new P3HT macroRAFT agent is synthesized and utilized to prepare rod–coil block copolymers with P3HT and poly(styrene), poly(tert-butylacrylate), and poly(4-vinylpyridine), and the RAFT polymerization kinetics of each system are fully detailed. This is achieved by a comprehensive analysis of characterization data from 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight spectroscopy, which are used as complementary techniques in order to address difficulties in accurately characterizing the synthesized polymer systems. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 3575–3585