Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of Novel Amphiphilic Six‐Armed Star Copolymers TP[PDMAEMA<i>‐b‐</i>PSt]₆

Abstract

Abstract A triphenylene (TP)‐based hexafunctional initiator was prepared and used in successive ATRP of DMAEMA and St. Well‐defined six‐armed star block copolymers TP[PDMAEMA ‐b‐ PSt] 6 bearing hydrophilic backbones inside and hydrophobic blocks outside were successfully synthesized. The self‐assembly behaviors of the novel amphiphilic copolymer were further investigated. Co‐existing spherical and bowl‐shaped aggregates were observed from their neutral aqueous solution, while large spherical structures with different dimensions were obtained from their diluted HCl and CF 3 COOH aqueous solution, respectively. Dynamic light scattering in different aqueous solutions were conducted to give further confirmation. The possible mechanism of the morphology formation was proposed. magnified image