Influence of architectural design on the thermoresponsive properties of pyrrolidone-based terpolymers
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Wang, Lezhi
Iqbal, Haffsah
Georgiou, Theoni K
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This study investigated a new series of amphiphilic, thermoresponsive terpolymers based on pyrrolidone. The terpolymers feature similar compositions and molar masses but differ in their architectures, i.e., the position of comonomers along the polymer chain. All polymers were synthesised via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisation. The study focused on the polymers’ thermoresponsive behaviour in aqueous solutions. Specifically, the cloud point temperatures (Tcp) and self-assembly conformations, as well as the thermally induced sol–gel transitions, were investigated. The terpolymers exhibit a solvent isotropic effect and display different Tcps in deuterium oxide (D2O) and deionised water (H2O), as determined through turbidimetry measurements. The phase transitions were further analysed using temperature-variation 1H NMR spectroscopy. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the triblock structure could self-assemble into micelles, whereas the statistical polymer could not. The micelle size varied depending on the pH. Visual testing and rheological studies showed how the polymer architecture influences thermoresponsive behaviour, with the BAC architecture exhibiting the widest gelation window. This research illustrates the importance of structure–property relationships and highlights the critical role of polymer architecture in their self-assembly and thermoresponsive properties.
Date Issued
2024-07-07
Date Acceptance
2024-05-23
Citation
Polymer Chemistry, 2024, 15 (25), pp.2548-2563
ISSN
1759-9954
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
2548
End Page
2563
Journal / Book Title
Polymer Chemistry
Volume
15
Issue
25
Copyright Statement
This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2024. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.
License URL
Identifier
10.1039/d4py00405a
Subjects
BLOCK
COPOLYMER NANO-OBJECTS
DISPERSION POLYMERIZATION
FACILE SYNTHESIS
HYDROGELS
MICELLES
PH
Physical Sciences
POLY(N-ISOPROPYLACRYLAMIDE)
Polymer Science
RESPONSIVE POLYMERS
Science & Technology
TRIBLOCK COPOLYMER
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2024-06-07