Graft polymerization of acrylamide monomers from polysilsesquioxane containing xanthate groups

The polysilsesquioxane (PSQ) containing ethylxanthate groups was used for the graft polymerization of several acrylamide monomers by MADIX process. The controlled graft polymerization gave the PSQs containing the polymeric components as the graft chains. The introduction of the polymers provided an amphiphilic property to the polysilsesquioxaneane. In addition, the grafted PSQ containing poly(acryloyl morpholine) showed a thermoresponsive property in an aqueous solution. The reversible hydrophobic aggregation of the polysilsesquioanes was observed at ca. 80°C.