Synthesis of Diblock Copolymer Nanoparticles via RAFT Alcoholic Dispersion Polymerization: Effect of Block Copolymer Composition, Molecular Weight, Copolymer Concentration, and Solvent Type on the Final Particle Morphology

Abstract

Various poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-b-benzyl methacrylate) (PHEMAn–PBzMAm) and poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate-b-benzyl methacrylate) (PHPMAn–PBzMAm) nano-objects have been prepared via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) alcoholic dispersion polymerization. Using either a PHPMA or PHEMA macro-CTA as a steric stabilizer, chain extension with BzMA was conducted in methanol, ethanol, or isopropanol. In each case, in situ self-assembly is driven by the growing PBzMA chains, which become insoluble in lower alcohols above a certain critical chain length. Empirically, PHPMA macro-CTA proved to be much more effective than PHEMA macro-CTA in such syntheses, since the former conferred higher colloidal stability in alcohol. By constructing two detailed phase diagrams, the final nanoparticle morphology is shown to be sensitive to the DP of the core-forming block (PBzMA), the total solids content, and also the mean DP of the stabilizer block (PHPMA). The latter effect is readily demonstrate...