Dual thermoresponsive diblock copolymers comprising poly(di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether acrylate) (PeDEGA) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) blocks with different lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTA and LCSTB) were prepared via organotellurium-mediated living radical polymerization. The LCSTA of the PeDEGA was lower than the LCSTB of PNIPAM. At T < LCSTA, the diblock copolymers dissolve in a unimer state. When the LCSTA ≤ T < LCSTB, polymer micelles with a PeDEGA core and PNIPAM shells formed. Above the LCSTB, intermicellar aggregates formed owing to hydrophobic interactions between the PNIPAM shells.
- Misato Hayashi
- Rintaro Takahashi
- Shin-ichi Yusa
