Ultralow ppm seATRP synthesis of PEO-b-PBA copolymers

Poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(butyl acrylate) copolymers were prepared via simplified electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (seATRP) utilizing only 1 ppm of CuII complex, which is the limit of a successful well-controlled polymerization. The presented seATRP system works under potentiostatic and galvanostatic conditions. The polymerization results showed similar molecular weight evolution while maintaining a narrow molecular weight distribution throughout the reactions. 1H NMR results confirm chemical structure of synthesized diblock copolymers. This ultralow ppm technique is promising candidate for polymerization from nanoparticles, flat surfaces, proteins, and DNA.