Synthesis of Molecular Brushes with Block Copolymer Side Chains Using Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

• DOI: 10.1021/ma010001r
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T04:58:44Z
• Authors: Hans G. Börner; Kathryn Beers; Krzysztof Matyjas...; Sergei S. Sheiko; Martin Möller
• Keywords: Atom-transfer radical-polymerization; Side chain; Living free-radical polymerization; Chain transfer

Brush macromolecules having poly(n-butyl acrylate-block-styrene) and poly(styrene-block-n-butyl acrylate) side chains have been synthesized by the "grafting from" approach using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The molecular weights of resulting polymers were characterized gel permeation chromatography (GPC) refractive index multiangle light scattering detection. block copolymer cleaved from backbone analyzed GPC, confirming synthesis well-defined brushes. Visualization individual molecules atomic force microscopy (AFM) enabled analysis conformation microstructure brush on mica surface. brushes with pnBuA core almost fully stretched, while inverted structure pS exhibited longitudinal contraction compared to contour length main chain. In addition, demonstrated a characteristic necklace morphology which was attributed interplay between extension microphase segregation tails.