Modification of glycidyl methacrylate based block copolymers and their aqueous solution behaviours

Abstract Poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) homopolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)methyl ether- block -poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (MPEG- b- PGMA), poly(methyl methacrylate)- block -poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PMMA- b -PGMA) diblock copolymers, and poly(ethylene glycol)methyl ether- block -poly(glycidyl methacrylate)- block -poly(methyl methacrylate) (MPEG- b- PGMA- b -PMMA) triblock copolymers with different molecular weights and polymerization degrees were successfully synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization. Epoxy groups of PGMA blocks were converted to hydroxyl and tertiary amine residues by reacting with secondary amines (morpholine, 1-methylpiperazine and diethyl amine) over a ring-opening reaction. Additionally, derivative (co)polymers containing poly(2-hydroxy-3-methyl piperazinepropyl methacrylate) (PHMPPMA) have also been quaternized with different alkyl and aryl halides. Aqueous solution behaviours of resulting functional polymers including poly(3-diethylamino-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) (PDEAHPMA), poly(2-hydroxy-3-morpholinepropyl methacrylate) (PHMPMA), PHMPPMA and its quaternarnized form PQHMPPMA homopolymers and their block copolymers with MPEG and/or PMMA were investigated by varying solution conditions such as pH, ionic strength and temperature. Their solution behaviours were investigated by using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering techniques.