Four-arm star block copolymers comprising poly(N-vinylimidazolium salt) as a poly(ionic liquid) segment and poly(NIPAAm) as a thermoresponsive segment were synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Stimuli-responsive properties and temperature-responsive self-assembly process of these star block copolymers were studied in aqueous solution. Chain architectures, the sequence and comonomer composition of the diblock arms, and salt concentration had a significant effect on their thermally induced phase separation behavior and assembled structures.
- Hideharu Mori
- Yuki Ebina
- Kazuhiro Nakabayashi
