Abstract:

Using ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate as the initiator, CuCl/α-α′-bipyridine(BPy) as the catalyst and ligand, the poly(methyl methacrylate) with single-caped halogen(PMMA-Br) was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP). Then using PMMA-Br as the macroinitiator and CuCl/BPy as the catalyst and ligand, the block copolymer P[MMA-b-Pb(MA)₂] was synthesized. After putting the copolymer P[MMA-b-Pb(MA)₂] dip in hydrochloric acid for one day, the amphiphilic copolymer P(MMA-b-MAA) with a low polydispersity was synthesized by ion exchange. Then P(MMA-b-MAA) was dissolved in DMF followed by dialyzsis in deionized water, the nanoaggregate  of P(MMA-b-MAA) comes into being. All products were characterized by FTIR, GPC, NMR and SEM. The results show that the amphiphilic copolymer containing carboxylic block can be prepared though ATRP and ion exchange by introduction of  a new monomer containing metal ions,  lead dimethacrylate Pb(MA)₂.

Key words: Atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP); Amphiphilic block copolymer; Self-assembly;  Ion exchange