A series of amphiphilic diblock copolymers (PVAm-b-PVPin: m/n = 82/6, 72/26, and 70/74) with different block lengths of hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and hydrophobic poly(vinyl pivalate) (PVPi) blocks were prepared. PVAm-b-PVPin was synthesized from poly(vinyl acetate)-b-PVPi (PVAcm-b-PVPin) diblock copolymer via selectively hydrolysis. In water, PVAm-b-PVPin formed spherical polymer micelles with a PVPi core and a PVA shell. The hydrodynamic radius, light scattering intensity, and aggregation number of PVAm-b-PVPin increased with increasing PVPi block length. In contrast, the critical micelle concentration was reduced because of stronger hydrophobic interactions.
- Thu Thao Pham
- Seito Aibara
- Shin-ichi Yusa