Synthesis and characterization of novel ABA type poly(Ester-ether) triblock copolymers

Abstract

Oligomers of poly(3-hydroxypropionate) (P3HP) were synthesized via hydrogen transfer polymerization of acrylic acid. Olefinic end-group of the oligomers were modified through epoxidation and bromination to obtain activated oligomers with epoxy and bromide end-groups, respectively. Terminally hydroxyl oligomeric poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-1450) was also converted to sodium alkoxide of PEG-1450 through reaction with sodium hydride. Novel ABA type P3HP-b-PEG-b-P3HP triblock copolymers were successfully obtained through simple nucleophilic addition reactions between alkoxy and epoxy/alkyl bromide. Water uptake measurements of the triblock copolymers were calculated. Characterization of the modified oligomers and the triblock copolymers was performed by using FT-IR, H-1-NMR and MALDI-MS analyses. Thermal transitions and degradation features of the copolymers were investigated by using DSC and TGA methods. Spectroscopic and thermal analyses revealed that both end-group modifications and coupling reactions were successfully achieved.