The Solution Properties of Polymethacrylate Molecular Brushes with Oligo(ethylene glycol) and Oligo(propylene glycol) Side Chains

Abstract

The properties of polymer brushes based on three macromonomers were investigated in aqueous and organic solutions. Methacrylic monomers with different compositions of the oligo(oxyalkylene) substituents and arrangements of the oligo(ethylene glycol) and oligo(propylene glycol) blocks were used for the synthesis of polymers. There were methoxy [oligo(ethylene glycol)10.3-block-oligo(propylene glycol)4.7] methacrylate, methoxy [oligo(propylene glycol)8.3-block-oligo(ethylene glycol)6.6] methacrylate, and methoxy oligo(propylene glycol)4.2 methacrylate. Molecular brushes were investigated by the methods of molecular hydrodynamics and optics in dilute solutions in acetonitrile, chloroform, and water. The peculiarities of behavior of poly[oligo(oxyalkylene) methacrylates] in aqueous solutions and water-toluene systems have been found; in particular, the solubility of the polymers in water and organic solvents, the polymers equilibrium distribution between the phases, and the surface activity in the water-toluene system have been established. The thermo-responsibility in aqueous solutions and values of a critical concentration of micelle formation were shown. Depending on the arrangement of blocks in the side chains of molecular brushes, they are characterized by different intramolecular density.