Efficient Synthesis of Narrowly Dispersed Brush Block Copolymers using Anionic Polymerization and Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization

Abstract

Brush block copolymers (BBCPs) which contain a high density of side chains connected to a linear backbone have emerged as an important type of nanostructured material. Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) is mighty method for preparation of BBCPs or molecular brushes. The methacrylate derivatives-based macromonomers (MMs) were synthesized using living anionic polymerization through norbornene derivative end-capping system. Sequentially, ROMP of these MMs was carried out using Grubbs catalyst in THF at room temperature. Theses brush block copolymers had high molecular weight, narrow dispersion selectively in high conversions. After resulting BBCPs underwent specific modification, we confirmed these structure by 1 H NMR, 13C NMR, IR. The self-assembly study of these BBCPs through solvent evaporation was carried out by TEM and small angle X-ray scattering.