Abstract
This article presents the utilization of “molecular amplification” to visualize the molecular architecture of “arborescent” (tree-like) polystyrenes (arbPSs) using atomic force microscopy (AFM). arbPSs with Mn > 80,000 g/mol were synthesized via initiator-monomer-type (inimer) RAFT polymerization of styrene mediated by 4-vinylbenzyl dithiobenzoate in bulk. These arbPS were then used as macrochain transfer agents for polymerization of vinylbenzyl chloride (VBCl) to give arborescent poly(styrene-block-vinylbenzyl chloride) (arbPS-b-VBCl). Poly(styryl) diphenylethyl lithium (Mn = 11,000 g/mol) was then grafted onto the VBCl units of the arbPS-b-VBCl. The Mn of the amplified arbPSs increased over >10 million g/mol, exceeding the exclusion limit of our size exclusion chromatography equipment. AFM confirmed the proposed branches on branches architecture in the samples, together with lesser branched species. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
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