One‐Pot Synthesis of Micelles with a Cross‐Linked Poly(acrylic acid) Core

Abstract

Abstract Summary: Stable micelles with polystyrene (PS) as a shell and cross‐linked poly[(acrylic acid)‐ co ‐(ethylene glycol diacrylate)] as a core have been successfully prepared by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerization of acrylic acid and ethylene glycol diacrylate in a selective solvent with PS‐SC(S)Ph as a RAFT agent. For the preparation of stable micelles, the RAFT polymerizations are carried out in different solvents: benzene, cyclohexane, and mixtures of tetrahydrofuran and cyclohexane. The monomer/PS‐SC(S)Ph molar ratio and molecular weight of the macro‐RAFT agent, PS‐SC(S)Ph, influence the RAFT polymerization and the formation of micelles. Block copolymerization in selective solvent with the RAFT agent. magnified image Block copolymerization in selective solvent with the RAFT agent.