Hyperbranched homo and thermoresponsive graft copolymers by using ATRP-macromonomer initiators

Macromonomer initiators behave as macro cross-linkers, macro initiators, and macromonomers to obtain branched and cross-linked block/graft copolymers. A series of new macromonomer initiators for atom transfer radical polymerization (MIM-ATRP) based on polyethylene glycol (M n = 495D, 2203D, and 4203D) (PEG) were synthesized by the reaction of the hydroxyl end of mono-methacryloyl polyethylene glycol with 2-bromo propanoyl chloride, leading to methacryloyl polyethylene glycol 2-bromo propanoyl ester. Poly (ethylene glycol) functionalized with methacrylate at one end was reacted with 2-bromopropionyl chloride to form a macromonomeric initiator for ATRP. ATRP was found to be a more controllable polymerization method than conventional free radical polymerization in view of fewer cross-linked polymers and highly branched polymers produced from macromonomer initiators as well. In another scenario, ATRP of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) was initiated by MIM-ATRP to obtain PEG-b-PNIPAM branched block/graft copolymers. Thermal analysis, FTIR, 1H NMR, TEM, and SEM techniques were used in the characterization of the products. They had a thermo-responsive character and exhibited volume phase transition at â 36°C. A plasticizer effect of PEG in graft copolymers was also observed, indicating a lower glass transition temperature than that of pure PNIPAM. Homo and copolymerization kinetics were also evaluated. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.