Spherical Glycopolymer Architectures using RAFT: From Stars with a β-Cyclodextrin Core to Thermoresponsive Core–Shell Particles

Ling Zhang; Martina H. Stenzel

doi:10.1071/CH09108

RESEARCH FRONT

Previous Next Contents Vol 62(8)

Spherical Glycopolymer Architectures using RAFT: From Stars with a β-Cyclodextrin Core to Thermoresponsive Core–Shell Particles

Ling Zhang ^A ^B ^C and Martina H. Stenzel ^A ^D

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design, School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

^B Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Polymers, Notting Hill, Vic 3168, Australia.

^C Current address: Tianjin University, 223/Building 9, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300072, China.

^D Corresponding author. Email: M.Stenzel@unsw.edu.au

Australian Journal of Chemistry 62(8) 813-822 https://doi.org/10.1071/CH09108
Submitted: 23 February 2009 Accepted: 18 March 2009 Published: 13 August 2009

Abstract

Glycopolymers with a seven-arm star architectures based on a β-cyclodextrin core (β-CD-RAFT) were successfully prepared using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. A bimodal molecular weight distribution was observed in the early stages of the polymerization. At monomer conversions of N-acryloyl glucose (AGA) above 10% the polymerization proceeded according to a living behaviour and molecular weights of more than 200000 g mol^–1 were obtained. However, the resulting star polymers did not undergo well-controlled chain extension with N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAm) and the formation of block structures in each arm was prevented. Alternatively, the arm-first technique was employed. Block copolymers based on AGA and PNIPAAm were self-assembled into micelles at a solution temperature above the lower critical solution temperature. Subsequent core-crosslinking with hexan-1,6-diol diacrylate resulted in unimolecular micelles with thermoresponsive properties. Dynamic light scattering studies, surface tensiometry, and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of core–shell particles.

References

Spherical Glycopolymer Architectures using RAFT: From Stars with a β-Cyclodextrin Core to Thermoresponsive Core–Shell Particles

Abstract

Subscriber Login