Synthesis and characterization of ABA triblock copolymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and n-butyl methacrylate by group transfer polymerization

Abstract

Difference ABA triblock copolymers (1) of 2-trimethylsilyloxyethyl methacrylate (TMS-HEMA) and n-butyl methacrylate (BMA) were prepared by group transfer polymerization (GTP) with a difunctional initiator. The polydispersities of the block copolymers were in 1.16 to 1.43 range. From selective and quantitative hydrolysis of poly (TMS-HEMA) segments of 1, block copolymers (2) of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and BMA could be prepared. 2 showed different solubilities depanding on their compositions. From transmission electron micrographs of films casted from dilute solution of the polymers, it was found that microphase separation of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains occurs in different geometries.