Synthesis and characterization of polystyrene-b-tetraaniline stars from polystyrene stars with surface reactive groups prepared via ATRP

Functionalized star polymers with tetraaniline on their surface have been successfully prepared by substitution reaction of N-succinimidyl-terminated star polymers with tetraaniline. A novel functional initiator bearing N-succinimidyl group was used in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene, and polystyrenes (PSts) having N-succinimidyl groups with narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained. The star polymers with reactive N-succinimidyl groups on their surface were synthesized by ATRP of divinylbenzene (DVB). The N-succinimidyl-terminated PSt, polymer stars with surface N-succinimidyl groups and the PSt-b-tetraaniline stars were characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR and gel permeation chromatography.