Synthesis of PMMA-b-PS Block Copolymer by Emulsion ATRP and its Self-Assembly Property

Abstract

The well-defined block copolymer PMMA-b-PS was prepared by two-step ATRP in emulsion system. GPC results indicate that Mn increased linearly with conversion and polydispersity remained relatively narrow. It presents the characteristics of living polymerization in emulsion system. FT-IR demonstrated that block copolymer PMMA-b-PS could be successfully synthesized by ATRP with macroinitiator PMMA-Cl in emulsion system. The morphological characteristic of the self-assembly depends on the block copolymer concentration and transforms between spheres and rodlike micelles. The property indicates a perfect potential application in drug delivery materials.