Preparation and properties of micelle nanoparticles by P4VP-b-PMAA copolymer

Poly(4-vinylpyridine) with a chlorine end group (P4VP-Cl) was first prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) initiated by ethyl-2-chloropropionate (ECP). The effect of polymerization time on the number-average molecular weight (M_n) of the P4VP-Cl was studied based on gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The M_n of P4VP-Cl can be controlled from 1500 to 5610 by adjusting. Poly(4-vinylpyridine)-b-poly( tert-butylmethacrylate) (P4VP-b-PtBMA) was then prepared by ATRP using P4VP-Cl as macroinitiator. In the case, the conversion of tBMA can reach 60%. Furthermore, the P4VP-b-PtBMA was then hydrolyzed under room temperature to form P4VP-b-PMAA in the presence of CF₃COOH. The self-assembly of P4VP-b-PMAA in selective solvents was also studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).