The pH-responsive behavior of a core-crosslinked multiarm star polymer with an ionic poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) block segment in the arm was greatly affected by the arm chain sequence. Two types of star polymers with opposite block sequences was shown to differ sharply in the balance of hydrogen bonding and ionic repulsion between arm polymers, resulting in the different pH-responsive aggregation behaviors. The fundamental understanding gained by the present study deepens the insight into the solution properties of branched polyelectrolytes, which would expand the possibility for various applications.
- Hiroomi Kitajima
- Shohei Ida
- Shokyoku Kanaoka
