Preparing and structuring of block copolymers with cinnamate and adamantane moieties

Two new block copolymers containing photocrosslinkable moieties, poly(2-cinnamoyloxyethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(N-methacryloyloxyethyl N′-adamantyl urea) (PCEMA-b-PMAdU) and poly(2-cinnamoyloxyethyl methacrylate)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-poly(N-methacryloyloxyethyl N′-adamantyl urea) (PCEMA-b-PMMA-b-PMAdU) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. The structure, thermal properties, and morphology of the synthesized copolymers were investigated by 1H NMR and Fourier transform infrared/UV/vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, gel permeation chromatography, atomic force microscopy(AFM), and scanning electron microscopy/environmental scanning electron microscopy. 1H NMR analysis of the copolymer structure confirmed a molar fraction of adamantane units of 0.39 and of 0.66 for diblock and triblock copolymer ,respectively. Special attention was given to the effect of UV/laser irradiation and operating conditions on the block copolymers pr...